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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Jun 2010 : 14:43:02
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I just comeback from Gambia.
- Lots of development in Senegambia area. Many restaurants and other business, the tourism industry is getting better.
- There is a check point for the beaches. Police are letting sellers go to beach. Even bumpsters are on the beach but they don't really go after tourists aggresively. There are presence of soldiers on the beach (with no guns and weapons of mass destruction) and it may look weird but it does not annoy you. I think it was ok.
- I was on the beach everyday in different area, no beating by police/soldiers. I had no concern in terms of safety and no bumpster annoyence. I was able to bring relatives and friends to the beach with no questions asked.
- Ammadali to Barra road is finished. Nice smoot ride. I was stopped three times (One at the border, twice on my way to barra). I guess little expectation from police, but it did not bother me as I have nothing to hide. Police ask me about my personal laptop. I said it is mine. He asked me a receipt. I said no. He asked me why. I asked him if he has receipt for his pants. He laughed. No problem.
- Typical problems of overcharging for taxi ride still exist. But when negotiate, no problem with the rate. i was able to pay Gambian prices (I think).
- When you enter serrekunda market, the road is very bad. Especially during rain season, it feels like it is venice. they are fixing the road. they dig the river bank and they stabilize river bank with the rocks so the water can move. They also make channels along with the road to get rid of water. It is really appreciated because once my daughter and I had be rescued from a car stopped in the middle of the water on the road.
- I met with some government officials for my pet project. Things are slow and still not professional if you compare to western standards. But I was impressed with the improvement and attitude with the government workers. They are very ambitious and eager to learn and improve. They are more idealist. It nice to see the improvement.
- I have talked to many. First of all regardless of tribe, majority of the people I have talked, they are happy with the president of Gambia. I even track it, it is close to 80 percent of people I talked, they did not make any negative comments. In the country side this is almost 90 percent. Most of them mentioned the phrase "hard worker". A few complaint about 'corruption' by government workers but most people talk about 'poverty, lack of education, health services and employement' if they have negative view. Non of them mentioned about human rights, democratic rights etc.
- I noticed more mid-class professional, business men and women. Gambia is improving its mid-class which is a good news. I noticed there are a few childcare centers and private schools. Looks like Gambians are becaming more and more modern/urban people.
- While tourism was down significantly, it did not look like that has impact on economy much. Maybe there is impact but I did not notice. My relatives are doing well. One got a new job with one of the communication company, one works in a new bakery. They expand the house. I see improvement in my relatives and friends finance and wealth.
- Safety was no problem.
- Gambia is still one of the poorest country in the world with low life standards. But it is improving. And its stability and safety is making Gambia star in the region. Despite there is no significant natural resources.
- I still believe that Gambian priority is economic and social development. Than rule of law and governence needs to be improved. Democracy and Human rights will get better as the people education and wealth improve.
- Gambians in general are still very positive despite all the problems.
- I noticed little increased tense between Lebanase and Gambians. There is more hostility. Also, I noticed less expats in Gambia.
- Also, I noticed more Turkish are coming to Gambia. One is the General Manager for a big factory. A few small business owners in restaurant, bakery and construction business. This time higher ranking military officer providing technical assistance and training to Gambian army. It was amazing I was able to talk in turkish with some Gambian soldiers who have training in Turkey.
- Now there is a direct flight from Istanbul to Dakar (Turkish airlines have direct flight to Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, Angola as part of economic and political expansion to Africa). The big plane had only 40 % capacity. I met some Gambians (Many other africans as well) are coming from Istanbul doing business. They buy product to sell in Gambia. One young girl was attending University in Istanbul. One family was visiting their son. Looks like Gambians are more and more looking like modern/capitalist/urban middle income families.
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diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
Edited by - turk on 09 Jun 2010 14:49:49 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2010 : 14:58:04
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how was the dalasis, I noticed the increase in middle class gambians. also noticed that attitudes are changing i think that is due to the fact that there are no 4 daily newspapers, still not enough copies to go around ?.
red tape still slow but it is being done.
loved it around senegambia, so safe, happy wanted to go out and meet my friends.
i noticed a lot of Gambians returning home, better cars on the road.
Pettiness is still there, but that is "you have it give it to me" way of thinking.
hope all goes well with your project. i did not notice turks but did notice the Russians and baltic states being therer. Could be the in place for russians to come for the summer.
Education and how to afford it where the main topics I had, and business opportunities was another. Equal rights more than human rights i was asked about. Definately noticed more african nationals there, certainly in the financial industries, banking, insurance.
JUST FIX THE AIRPORT, too small for the increase in travellers, toilets broker, food/cafes too small, porters rude and pushy.
On the whole, i came back and thought i want to buy land. :) it seems the right time to do it. |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jun 2010 : 17:20:17
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Turk and Jambo,all that you have written feels like good news and progress is being made from a totally sleepy backwater into a viable tourist destination,I feel that there is a LONG LONG way to go before The Gambia becomes a financial hub for West Africa and The Silicon Valley of Africa,very encouraging though, Thanks.  |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 09 Jun 2010 17:21:02 |
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