A five man delegation from the United States Congress, who are touring Africa to evaluate the role of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks on the continents, have recently visited The Gambia. The group comprising Gregory Meeks, Melvin Watt, Andre Carson, Jack Kingston and Bob Good left Banjul on Sunday 21st February, 2010.

At a press briefing held at the Banjul International Airport shortly before the departure of the US delegation, the US Ambassador to The Gambia, HE Barry Wells, told journalists that these members of the US Congress have been in the Gambia for a short visit after touring several African countries..

Congressman Melvin Watt, who spoke on behalf of the US congressmen, told reporters that they have concluded a seven day continent wide trip and have visited Nigeria , Ethiopia , Zimbabwe , Botswana and Gambia .

According to Mr. Watts, the purpose of the trip was to see the effects of the global financial crises on the African continent and know how they can partner with many of the countries that they have visited and also the financial and regulatory reforms being implemented in Africa's largest economies to achieve sustained economic recovery from the global financial crises. He said they also wanted to know what was happening in terms of agriculture in Africa and how the US can work with these countries.

The US delegation however answered only one question from the press saying they could not take more than one question at the press conference as they have limited time.