March 2015 Edition - The Gambia Chamber of Commerce & Industry

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March Edition
2015 / No 20
From President’s Desk
2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The Gambia celebrates its Golden
Jubilee in
2015,
and for
this
reason
the
Chamber
chose
the theme ‘Supporting Sustainable
Enterprises’, which provides a
platform to address pertinent
challenges
our
members
encounter in this day and age. The
Chamber believes that promoting
also calls for an improved
partnership
between
the
government, the private sector and
the civil society to ensure that the
operations of the private sector in
The Gambia will generate more
employment and enhance the
livelihood of the many Gambians
involved.
We continue to improve upon our
dialogue and engagement with
Government, which have also led
to more pro-activity including
invitations to State missions
overseas; the first pre-budget
consultation in many years; the
lunching of the Public Private
Partnership
unit;
imminent
reactivation of a National
Economic Council; amongst many
others.
sustainable enterprises should
revolve around strengthening the
institutions and systems which
nurture these businesses, as well
as ensure that human, financial
and natural resources are
combined equitably and efficiently
in order to bring about innovation
and enhance productivity. This
in the GCCI’s history. Please join
me in congratulating the Board and
Management.
We work for businesses everyday
whether they see us or hear us.
When we succeed in increasing
viable opportunities for private
enterprises in the country,
everyone becomes a beneficiary.
The private businesses will expand
their market, enhance their sales
and employ more people;
consumer spending will increase;
the Government will receive more
taxes to be able to finance the
development of the country;
commercial banks will receive
more deposits and savings from
customers for their investments;
and the male and female
entrepreneurs will enjoy greater
profit, have more income, provide
adequate food, healthcare and
education for their children and
families.
Two years ago, when the new
Board was elected, we promised
our members good governance,
best practice, responsiveness,
engagement with Government and
financial discipline. I am pleased to
report that we have remained
steadily on course and herewith
present the strongest performance
Voice of Business
Kerr Jula, Bertil Harding Highway, Bijilo West Coast Region
Tel: 4463452, 4463152, 4466444 - Email: [email protected]; www.gcci.gm
Page 1
new challenges they are faced with
in this generation.
On behalf of the staff and Board of
Directors of GCCI, I thank you for
your support this past year. We
look forward to working with you in
2015 as we continue to build
sustainable enterprises and ensure
that our members adjust to the
Finally I thank the Government for
their increased partnership with the
Private Sector as well as my
colleagues and staff for their
steadfastness and support.
******
Trade Fair Gambia International (TFGI) 2015
The Opening Statement at the
8th Edition of Trade Fair
Gambia International (TFGI)
was delivered by Mr. Papa
Yusupha Njie, the 1 st Vice
President of the Chamber, and
the ceremony was chaired by
Mr. Malick Jones of MOICI.
According to Mr. Njie, the goal
of the Chamber is to realize a
deepened
business
relationship not just within the
Gambian business community,
but also establishing strong
symbiotic ties between the
private sector, the Government
and civil society. Furthermore,
he alluded to the fact that an
effective
Public
Private
Partnership (PPP) will propel a
sustainable and inclusive
growth through employment
creation, revenue generation
and the enhancement of the
livelihood of Gambian people.
Furthermore, the Minister of
Trade,
Industry,
Regional
Integration and Employment,
Honorable
Abdoulie
Jobe,
emphasized the need to build
Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprise (MSMEs) because
they are the principal source of
growth and employment in The
Gambia.
According to the Private Sector
Development Strategy (20152019), MSMEs in the Gambia
accounted for more than 20%
of the Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) of The Gambia in 2013,
and cater for more than 60% of
the urban labour force.
Similarly,
the
Honorable
Minister highlighted that this
year’s
TFGI
theme:
’’Supporting
Sustainable
Enterprises: The Gambia @
50’’ emphasizes the need for
all players along the value
chain to work together to
achieve substantial economic
growth, which would trickle
down to every Gambian.
******
GCCI GEF/UNIDO Project Renewable Energy (RE) Forum
GCCI in partnership with the GEF/UNIDO 4 Project
created more awareness on renewable energy through
the business forum organized on 18th March at the
TANGO Secretariat, in conjunction with the Trade Fair
Gambia International 2015. The theme for the forum was
“Supporting
Sustainable
Small and Medium (SMEs)
through
Renewable
Energy”.
Voice of Business
Kerr Jula, Bertil Harding Highway, Bijilo West Coast Region
Tel: 4463452, 4463152, 4466444 - Email: [email protected]; www.gcci.gm
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The forum brought together Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) from various sectors and the activity
included presentations and discussions of the economic
and social impacts of RE Projects and initiatives in The
Gambia, as well as the huge business opportunities for
entrepreneurs and for cost savings.
the forum culminated in a field visit to Lemon Creek in
Bijilo and Mbollo in Tujereng.
After presentations from Mr. Uriel Thomas, UNIDO; Mr.
Ram Mohan, ComAfrica and FANDEMA Mbollo Women
Association,
******
Trade Fair 2015 Business Forum
The Chamber organized a business forum on 19th March,
at Ocean Bay Hotel. The theme of the forum was
"Supporting Sustainable Enterprises", and it was
organized
as a side
event
of
Trade Fair
Gambia
International
2015. The presenters were Mr. Lamin Gaye of GIEPA
and Mr. Ismaila Jarjue of Central Bank of The Gambia;
and the moderator was Mr. Dawda Sarge, a GCCI Board
Member. The presentations provided insight on major
challenges encountered by
enterprises in The Gambia,
research information on case
studies both from Africa and
Asia, which share similar
experiences as well as recommendations to resolve
these challenges in order to make businesses more
sustainable. There was also a very interactive discussion
with meaningful comments and interventions from the
audience.
Visit of The Director General of the Ministry of Commerce (Guinea Bissau)
A delegation from Guinea Bissau headed by
the Director of
Commerce,
Ministry
of
Trade, paid a
courtesy call to
GCCI in order
to identify areas of possible collaboration
between the private sector of The Gambia and
Bissau.
Also, the delegation visited the Trade Fair
Gambia
International
(TFGI) at
the
Independence Stadium, and called for more
participation
of economic
operators from
Guinea
Bissau.
List of New Members for March 2015
Company
Eat My Nuts
Njie’s Fashion
S.H. Trading Company
Emanic Consulting
Business Activity
Exportation of Cashew
Solar & Husqvarna Chainsaw
Casino Games (Cards Game machines etc.)
Consulting Services
Voice of Business
Kerr Jula, Bertil Harding Highway, Bijilo West Coast Region
Tel: 4463452, 4463152, 4466444 - Email: [email protected]; www.gcci.gm
Page 3
KEY PROJECTS 2014
In 2014, GCCI has been very instrumental in expanding international trade activities, promotion of economic growth, and
generally successful in fulfilling its mandate. For example, some of our major activities for 2014 are as follows:
TFGI
In 2014, the Trade Fair Gambia 2014 (also known as TFG 2014) exhibitors had increased to 257 with 37,700 visits from 1st
to 16th March, 2014. Participants from 15 different nationalities from Africa and Asia were present.
‘Marche Jula’
‘Marche Jula’ mini-trade fair, conceived and organized by GCCI is usually held in strategically selected lower-income
communities, with the primary objective of creating an affordable platform where micro and small businesses can buy and
sell their products, as well as gain exposure by exhibiting products and services. We have been privileged to receive
support from the Gambia Commercial Agriculture and Value Chain Management Project (GCAV).
Business Forums and Consultative Meetings
With support from our partners, the Chamber continually holds regular meetings and business forums with key sectors and
principal drivers of the economy which highlights an array of challenges and proposed solutions that are beneficial to the
Gambian private sector and its relevant stakeholders. GCCI has organized several forums to strengthen the capacity of
business enterprises in 2014. Through these forums, the Chamber provided an important platform for business operators in
The Gambia to share views on varying issues in different facets of business. It also availed an opportunity to sensitize
business operators on how best to leverage on key investment initiatives (for example, Foreign Direct Investment and
Public Private Partnership), and to better understand the Government’s vision and priorities, specifically on ‘Vision 2016’,
among others. These forums attracted the participation of stakeholders from the private sector, the Gambian Government,
civil society representatives; which was funded by a grant from the British Embassy, Banjul.
GCCI Business Awards (GBA)
For almost 25 years now, the GBA has been conducted as an annual event. The achievements of nominated candidates
are now measured against set criteria developed by stakeholders and players of key industries in our economy. In 2014, the
GCCI introduced an Award Council comprising of representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration
and Employment, University of the Gambia, The Gambia Bar Association and DT Associates.
Capacity Building for Businesses
Following the completion of a Training Needs and Business Information Needs Assessment of the business community in
The Gambia, a schedule of training programmes identified in the assessment report where implemented during the course
of 2014. One of the specialist training programmes that was implemented was a five-day ‘Executive Development
Programme’ on International Business and Trade conducted by one of the leading business schools in India, the Indian
Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). Support received from the Enhanced Integrated Framework Project also facilitated the
training of 25 GCCI Members on business proposal writing.
Voice of Business
Kerr Jula, Bertil Harding Highway, Bijilo West Coast Region
Tel: 4463452, 4463152, 4466444 - Email: [email protected]; www.gcci.gm
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