Ndey Jobarteh heads Gambia House, organizer of the forum

The first edition of the Nordic Gambian Diaspora Investment Forum is expected to take place on October 7 at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.

Ndey Jobarteh, chairperson of Gambia House, the event’s organizer, notes that the forum will bring together “our compatriots within the Nordic Countries to start a conversation about how Gambians abroad could be mobilised to aid in the country’s economic and social development.” Gambia House, according to Mamos TV, is an innovation to facilitate Gambian diaspora diplomacy.

She adds that “this gathering will be the first in a series of forums that will systematically consider ways in which those living outside Gambia, and key players within the country, can work together.”

The forum will facilitate a more inclusive discussion on national reconstruction that incorporates the contributions of individuals, government, the private sector and civil society, Ms.Jobarteh notes.

She continues, “Gambia House believes that the Gambian community located within the Diaspora, needs to play an active role in promoting national reconstruction and cohesion.

“Many Gambians in the Diaspora understand that their role extends far beyond sending remittances for household upkeep. Supporting national development includes investing in business, making social remittances in the knowledge economy, influencing policies that support economic recovery as well as engaging in various forms of human capacity development for fellow Gambians.

“For a globally distributed entity that contributed 22% of the country’s GDP in 2016, 2nd country in Africa that relies on remittance for GDP. The Gambian Diaspora is a huge untapped goldmine and game-changer whose time to mainstream into the national socio-economic fabric cannot wait any longer.”

This year’s event is sponsored by IAC Norway, Approve Services, Jendalma Express, Mamos TV and Global Properties.