The Senegalese and Polish Heads of State expressed their willingness to consolidate cooperation between the two countries. In that perspective, they agreed, at a press conference held as part of the Polish President’s visit to Dakar, to expand bilateral cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, sanitation, maritime training.

Poland and Senegal intend to strengthen their cooperation in various sectors. The presidents of the two countries made this known at a joint press conference as part of the Polish President’s visit to Senegal. President Macky Sall recalled that relations between « the two countries have been strengthened with the reciprocal opening of Senegalese embassies in Warsaw in 2015 and that of Poland in Dakar in 2016 ». As part of this dynamic, he informs: « With President Duda, we have expressed our strong desire to consolidate and expand bilateral cooperation between our two countries in sectors such as agriculture, sanitation, maritime training, where Poland has proven expertise. » He added: « I remind you that Poland has in its country, the famous shipyard in Gdansk and we have a lot to learn from this country. » As part of this cooperation, Poland has granted Senegal a $100 million line of credit as a loan. In this regard, Macky Sall stresses: « Our two governments will examine in more detail all these aspects to see how to allocate the line of credit of 100 million dollars that Poland has made available to Senegal as a loan. »  In the same vein, Mr. Sall informs us that the two countries also want to « collaborate in the field of hydrocarbons, in the perspective of exploitation of gas and oil resources in Senegal from 2023 ».

As part of this cooperation, Macky Sall and Andrzej Duda have also shown the desire to strengthen economic exchanges through investment, to more involve their respective private sectors. During this meeting, President Sall also assured his Polish counterpart that « Senegal remains a country open to all partnerships ».  And urged the Head of State to encourage Polish investors: « Polish companies are welcome here in areas such as housing construction, hotel infrastructure, industry, to name but a few. »

 The President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, arrived in Dakar last Thursday, as part of a 48-hour official visit. The visit is part of a tour by the Polish leader of the West African sub-region. Senegal is President Duda’s third stage after Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

By Dieynaba KANE / dkane@lequotdien.sn

  • Translation by Ndèye T. SOSSEH