Gambia: EU, Gambia sign €1.5M under 10th EDF
By Own Correspondent – The European Union and the Government of the Gambia yesterday signed an additional € 1.5 million under the technical cooperation facility (TCF) between the EU and the government.
The amount, geared towards increasing the financing agreement of the 10th European Development Fund from € 3,500, 000 to € 5,000, 000 is also expected to help the National Authorising Officer in administering and managing the EDF resources in the framework of the EU-Gambia cooperation.
The total project cost is estimated at € 5 million, which is entirely financed from the 10th EDF in the framework of the ACP Cotonou Agreement.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the ministry of Finance, Serign Cham, permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance, who is also the national authorising officer, said the TCF1 10th EDF aims at facilitating and supporting the implementation of the Country Strategy Paper of the Gambia.
This, he added, will directly contribute towards donor coordination through the organisation of conferences and seminars on the specific topic.
“Coordination of activities funded under the TCF1 with other donors interventions and the government of the Gambia development agenda will be assured through direct consultations, thematic sector consultations and through the supervision of the recently established Central Project Management and Aid Coordination Directorate at the Ministry of Finance,” PS Cham stated.
Ms Helene Cave, charge d’affaires at the office of the European Commission delegation to the Gambia, said the increase in the financing ceiling from € 3.5 to € 5 million funded by the 76 million Euros 10th EDF National Indicative Programme will guarantee enough funding for the remaining foreseen activities in support of an effective Gambia –EU cooperation, and also a smooth preparation of the next 11th EDF.
Reiterating the EU’s commitment to assist the Gambia government in achieving its aims and objectives of Vision 2020, Ms Cave disclosed that the EU already planned to sign in 2011 a new financing agreement of around € 3 Million for a second TCF.
