Up to 79 permit holders will be actively engaging in this year’s wood re-export trade, which has just opened, the chairman of the Association of Wood Re-exporters and Forest Users in The Gambia has disclosed.

Lamin Barrow was speaking recently at a special meeting convened at Sinchu Alagie village in the West Coast Region, meant to inform his Association members about the laid down conditions for this year’s re-export. The meeting availed the members the opportunity to table down issues that affecttheir business.

“I know it’s not easy to bring together businessmen in a forum like this but it is important that we all make it here because the matters to be discussed are in our common interest and concern. It is only through such meetings that we can have possible common solutions to the problems and challenges we face,” Barrow told the members.

While commending the Gambian leader for his support to them, Barrow said wood re-export trade has done a lot for this country. He used the opportunity to thank the Ministry of Forestry and the Environment for its collaboration and support, assuring that his Association will continue to contribute their quota to national development. Barrow also advised his members to pay their dues, taxes and other duties that they owe to the nation on time.

On his part, the vice chairman of the Association, Bakary Jammeh thanked the members for accepting their invitation. He urged them to continue working in the best interest of the country.