World Bank’s Louise Cord says Gambia’s economy quite promising, rising at 6 pct

The President of Gambia, Adama Barrow welcomed the outgoing Country Director of the World Bank in The Gambia, Louise Cord, who lauded the current state of the Gambian economy as 'very promising'.

"The economy has been restored - growth is about 6 percent, which is very a promising situation, inflation is also down to 6 percent. So the macro aggregates are looking strong and reserves are at around 5 months," Louise Cord opined.

The World Bank continued to be an active partner of the government, engaging in multiple sectors of development such as energy, education, health and social protection.

Speaking to the press after her audience with the Gambia's President Adama Barrow, the diplomat described her time in the West African country as 'one of the most memorable experiences'. The World Bank' outgoing Country Director opined that she was honoured to be part of the economic transformation experience under the current government, mainly in the areas of macro-economic stability, restoring growth, improving fiscal management, and restoring stable and reliable access to energy. Without macro stability, it is very hard to talk about inclusive growth, as reported by The Point.

On the other hand, she clarified that the inclusive growth to be sustained and everyone must be benefitted in the Gambia. The country requires to continue seeing vital investments in energy, reform, and telecommunication sectors to ensure efficiency. She also called for continuous investment in education, health, and social protection to ensure that The Gambia's human capital is developed for the country and her youths are able to compete globally.

She also recalled her assignment in the West African country like her first meeting with Dakar's Head of State and the agreement signing of USD 56 million budget support in Banjul. According to her, it was a historic and memorable moments for the World Bank, The Point noted.

Louise Cord is the Country Director for Senegal, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Mauritania, based in Dakar, Senegal. A US national, she joined the Bank in 1991 as a Young Professional in the Bank's Young Professional Program.

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