The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment (MoTIE), in collaboration with the West Africa Quality Control Programme (WAQCP), yesterday organised a day awareness workshop for economic operators on the World Trade Organisation's Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreements (SPS) at Sunset Beach Hotel   sponsored by the European Union.

In  her official opening remarks,  Sohna Sowe, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment said the  workshop will reflect on the experience of exporters to the international market, particularly on issues that are related to SPS and TBT. The impact of the SPS and TBT measures on the international trade, she said, is very paramount and has grown over the past years as consumers in both developed and developing countries continue to strive for increased consumer safety and environmental protection.

DPS Sowe told the gathering that like many countries, The Gambia used to be  faced with series of challenges concerning quality assurance in various aspects- particularly those who export to the European Union. However, she revealed that the government of The Gambia, with the  support of the European Union was able to launch in 2008, the Competitiveness Support and Harmonisation of TBT and SPS Measures Project, under the framework of the West Africa Quality Programme. 'This project is currently working with government departments and    agencies that deal with SPS and TBT related issues to strengthen their infrastructures to improve quality attainment and control in the country.

Madame Sowe further told participants that the government will continue to support the efforts of the project to ensure that national standards are not only available to protect domestic consumers, but  that they meet the international standards to increase the market accessibility of Gambian products to the international market.

The workshop she said has provided the participants  a unique opportunity for them to strengthen communication and networking among institutions  which deal with SPS and TBT issues. "This need for consultation, particularly among regulators, made the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment to establish a technical regulation coordination committee on SPS and TBT matters," DPS Sowe concluded.

Joseph Ndene, national technical coordinator of West Africa Quality Control Programme, said at the end of the workshop, it is expected that the awareness level of the participants would be enhanced.