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Belarus to explore Gambia’s oil, mineral resources
Friday, 27 August 2010 22:03
By Kemo ChamThe Gambian government is counting on Belarus for the possibility of exploring the country’s recently discovered oil and other mineral resources, media reports in the Eastern European country indicate.
According to the Belarusian private news agency, BelaPAN, the two countries’ Foreign Affairs ministries, who are on the verge of establishing the appropriate relationship in this regard, Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding.
In 2004, President Yahya Jammeh announced the discovery of oil “both onshore and offshore.” That announcement bolstered hope that a country with hitherto no known valuable mineral resource was on the path of becoming rich.
However, various negotiations have stalled, with President Jammeh insisting that any exploration agreement must leave Gambia with a major share.
About seven years on, Belarus could be the partner Gambia has been looking for to tap the riches in its newly found wealth.
Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, alongside his Belarusian counterpart, last Thursday, reportedly reached several key agreements geared towards creating the foundation for future cooperation between the two countries. The draft agreements are said to have been forwarded to the Gambian side for examination.
Minister Tangara was quoted as saying Gambia was particularly interested in cooperation in agriculture.
“We expect Belarus’ aid in mechanizing agriculture. Gambia has very fertile lands. At present we do not produce enough agricultural products to satisfy the domestic demand, but we would like to reach the output that will be sufficient for export in the future,” he was quoted by the National Legal Internet Portal of the Republic of Belarus.
Gambia is particularly interested in buying Belarusian tractors as well as the opportunity of learning Belarus’ experience of mastering new technologies, the Gambian minister said as he pointed out the “good relations” between the two countries he said have a lot in common.
But the Belarusian side appears to be paying more attention to oil exploration.
“As Belarus has little natural resources, we are interested in everything our industry needs,” Foreign Minister Syarhei Martynau was quoted as saying. “We are particularly interested in the latest oil extraction surveys in Gambia,” he added.
The Belarusian minister said after meeting with his Gambian counterpart that Belarus and Gambia could interact in industry, agriculture, technical and educational potential of Gambia, and cooperate in developing the country’s resources.
“We underlined that the cooperation should be mutually beneficial. Belarus is ready to step up trade, export and import as well as to consider projects for setting up assembly enterprises, sharing new technologies, training labor force and engineers,” he said.
“Belarus and Gambia are at the beginning of relations development. We hope our cooperation will be effective and fruitful,” he concluded.
Mr Tangara who ends his Belarus visit on Saturday, is also scheduled to meet with the country’s Minister of Industry, Alyaksandr Radzevich, Education Minister Alyaksandr Radzkou, and First Deputy of Agriculture and Foodstuffs Nadzeja Katkavets.
Tangara’s program schedule also includes a visit to MTZ (Minsk Tractor Works), the High Technologies Park, the Scientific and Practical Centre for mechanization of agriculture of the Academy of sciences of Belarus.
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Comments
Be nice to jammed 4 life. This girl ( I dont think he is a homosexual male)is being manipulate to believe that Jammeh will marry her and will do and say anything as a way of showing her love for yaya. I think you lot should try and help her to see reality before he does something bad to herself. PLZ just try to understand her situation as any parent will do.She just a teenage girl in love with 46year old man.
Those conmen ran off with millions of Gambian money from Trust Bank thanks to the govt pressing the bank to give loans to these fraudsters.When we have fool at the helm, especiallyone that does not listen to advice, Gambia will always remain a store house for conmen and fraudsters to come and take their share of the spoils!!
Adam Jonga...is a brilliant example.
I MEAN THANKYOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS,MY KEYBOARD IS ACTING UP...
Thanyou for our kind words...
"It could have been prevented"
For we were blessed with knowledge and history....of where this path would end.
But we as hero's chose to forget.. and this will be ....ours again in endless regret?
Michael Scales. 28th August 2010
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