Banjul, 16th June 2025: The Gambia has achieved a significant milestone in its economic ties with the People’s Republic of China, following the signing of two major agreements that will boost the country’s export potential and deepen bilateral trade relations.
The Honorable Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Mr. Baboucarr O. Joof, participated in key meetings in Changsha, Hunan Province, from June 11-15, 2025, where he signed the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development and the Protocol on Groundnut and Cashew.
The delegation attended the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the implementation of follow-up actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. These events focused on reviewing progress on the 10 agenda action points of the 9th FOCAC and sharing experiences to consolidate trade and economic ties between Africa and China.
Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership
The signing of the Framework Agreement represents a crucial step toward strengthening trade relationships between The Gambia and China. The agreement is built on principles of reciprocity and common vision, establishing a foundation for expanded economic cooperation between the two nations.
Perhaps the most significant achievement is the Protocol on Groundnut and Cashew, which grants Gambian exporters duty-free access to the Chinese market under China’s Duty-Free Quota-Free Market Access Preferential Scheme. This historic development will provide direct support to the government’s efforts in promoting international market access, enable export market diversification for Gambia’s main agricultural products, create new opportunities for Gambian farmers and exporters, and strengthen the agricultural sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Minister Joof emphasised that the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment remains committed to exploring all opportunities to facilitate and promote The Gambia’s trade agenda. This achievement demonstrates the government’s dedication to expanding market access for Gambian products and strengthening international economic partnerships.
The agreements signed during this visit mark a new chapter in Gambia-China relations and represent tangible progress in the government’s efforts to diversify export markets and enhance economic growth through strategic international partnerships.
By Mariatou Ngum
