Dakar, Senegal - Gambian lawmakers have ratified aviation agreements with five countries.
The deal was with Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Namibia, Switzerland and Belgium.

Presenting the agreement for ratification, the Gambian Minister for Works and Co nstruction, Lamin Bojang, told parliamentarians that the agreement was in line with the 'Yamoussoukro Declaration of 1988' and the subsequent 'decision in 1999' by African aviation ministers 'for the liberalization and integration of air services.'

He said: 'The newly concluded air transport agreement which is the instrument that governs the establishment of air services between The Gambia and individual countries is liberal in nature and allows for an unlimited number of airlines to be designated by either party for the operation of air services.'

The minister stressed the need for African countries to complement one another in terms of services, resources and facilities.