Gambian president to visit Kingdom

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is expected to visit the Kingdom before the end of the year, Ambassador Omar Gibril Sallah said.
“In 2014, the Gambian leader also visited the Kingdom to bolster bilateral ties,” the Gambian envoy told Arab News on Wednesday. The Gambian president headed a high-powered delegation that visited the kingdom on March 17 last year, during which time the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to intensify their bilateral cooperation.
The president is expected to discuss a number of issues, “including education, infrastructure development, trade, investment, science and culture, with the Saudi government,” a Gambian official said.
During the last visit of the African leader, Riyadh agreed to finance various Gambian projects including roads and university campuses to the tune of $20 million through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
He said that following the visit, a bilateral cooperation agreement was also signed to enhance relations in various fields like economy, trade, tourism, and sports.
On another related note, the envoy said: “Issues involving the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), of which Gambia is a member, will also be discussed,” adding that the African nation will be the host for the OIC meeting in 2018, for which it has started making the necessary preparations.


“In light of our strong ties, Saudi Arabia and Gambia have agreed to work together as sister countries,” the envoy confirmed.