By MUHAMMED S. BAH
The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday 18 April 2017 officially launched the 11th Edition of
the International Trade Fair The Gambia.
The event was officially presided over by Madam Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang minister of women affairs. The event held at the Independence Stadium was attended by both National and international dignitaries and businesspersons in and out of the Gambia. This year’s trade fair also marks the 50 years anniversary of the GCCI.
According to Alieu Secka CEO GCCI, the event will bring together businessmen and women, government officials, investors, consumers and tourists from far and wide within and outside the continent.
Mr. Secka noted that there are 254 stalls for now and more exhibitors are expected to come before it ends.
In his remarks Muhammed Jagana President GCCI underscored that the trade fair includes participants in the agricultural enterprises, banking and financial services, clothing industry, construction industry, energy including renewable energy industry, science and technology innovations, international businesses, management services, manufacturing industry, non-governmental associations, public enterprises, the tourism industry, and other interested partners.
“This year’s trade fair started from the 15th April and is expected to end on the 30th of April 2017 and the theme is connecting businesses, creating opportunities “remarked the GCCI President.
The trade fair, which presents an opportunity for business and industry innovators to showcase their products and services and collaborate with one another, also allows entrepreneurs /businesses to explore investment opportunities.
GCCI Director of Business Development Sarata Conateh said the objectives of the trade fair include promoting the creation and growth of industries and enterprises, networking local enterprises with business opportunities at the international level, encouraging joint ventures, facilitating public private partnerships, increasing intra-regional trade, and promoting ‘Made in Gambia’ products.
Speaking on-half of the Trade Minister Dr. Isatou Touray, Nafie Barry the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade congratulates GCCI for the golden Jubilee as well as organising the Trade Fair.
The Ministry of Trade further commended the GCCI for making the Trade fair an annual event, adding that this creates a platform for producers to showcase their products and be able to have a better understanding of the global distribution channels.
The PS further assured the support of her ministry towards the development of the chambers.
In her opening Statement H.E. Madam Fatoumatta Tambajang Jallow hailed GCCI for pushing Gambian business forward over the past 50 years.
The Vice President emphasised the importance between the public and Private sector partnership.
Madam Jallow noted that the government is very much committed to bringing in better policies for the betterment of the socio economic development of the country.
Immediately after the opening ceremony dignitaries led by the Vice President Madam Jallow Tambajang accompanied by Alieu Secka C.E.O GCCI and their counterparts from the Senegalese Chamber of Commerce went round to inspect the stalls within the Trade fair.
