Banjul, THE GAMBIA: President Adama Barrow on Thursday after presided over the laying of foundation stone of a 50 million dollar International Conference Center project at the Monkey park at Bijilo. The project is sponsored by the government of China who Gambia restored ties with after it was severed for some years. President Barrow said the event represents a new era of potential opportunity, prosperity, great freedom and dignity for Gambian people. The Conference center is expected to proved for about 1000 conference participants when completed. Mr. Barrow said the bond of friendship and corporation between Gambia and China is not only growing within the framework of South South corporation but a strategic partnership based on mutual respect and common interest. China was one of Gambia’s most trusted allies since the country’s first republic but was cut by former president Yahya Jammeh for Taiwan. In 2013, Mr. Jammeh announced he was again severing ties with Taiwan, justifying move as “strategic” interest of Gambian people. The Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jiming said the project demonstrates China’s resolve to closely combine its own development with assisting Gambia’s development and the entire African continent to realize win-win corporation for common development. “China’s own development experience over past 40 or so years shows infrastructure is key to development as it enhances connectivity in all its forms,” Ambassador Jiming said. He said the ICC project is a good testament of the traditional friendship between China and Africa and that of China and The Gambia. President Adama Barrow, today laid the foundation stone of a modern International Conference Center (ICC) in Bijilo. The 50 million dollar project is bankrolled by The People Republic of China. The Center, when fully operational, will provide seating capacity of about 1000 conference participants. It will house 4 thematic conference halls with 200 seating capacity, 1 VIP holding room, 4 Press rooms, 14 meeting rooms, offices, banquet halls and other supporting rooms. Speaking at the event, President Barrow said the project marks another significant milestone in their collective drive to transform and modernize The Gambia in line with the philosophy and dictates of the “new Gambia”. The Gambian leader explains that the center will be able to attract and host sub-regional, regional, and international conferences. The hosting of such conferences, Barrow added will not only create avenues for important decision makers to visit the country, but will also create vast opportunities for youth employment and create markets for our tourism industry among others.