By: Nyima Sillah & A. Hydara
President Adama Barrow said in The Gambia, as in many other developing countries, the economy is driven mainly by small businesses, saying that many of the women and youths running such businesses struggled to survive when the country and markets had to observe an extraordinary lockdown.
On Wednesday he launched the 14th edition of Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Trade Fair International 2021.
Speaking at the launching held at the independent stadium, he emphasized that in the Gambia as in many developing countries the economy is driven mainly by small businesses.
“Medium and large businesses alike suffered immensely, because many of their customers either could not afford the goods and services offered, or could not reach them physically.
As a responsible government, we decided to support the people in various ways to the tune of Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Dalasis (D850 Million). An additional Two Hundred and Twenty-Four Dalasis (D224 Million), together with contributions from our partners, had to be spent for similar reasons,” he said.
He commended the GCCI for complemented government efforts with the businesses against Covid-19 initiative, pointing that the Twenty Million Dalasis (D20 Million) raised by the Chamber, in partnership with the UNDP, was quite substantial.
“We have taken note of the way the money was wisely disbursed, and we applaud the Chamber for the keen sense of responsibility that prompted the initiative.
The tremendous support rendered to the Prisons Service, the complete rehabilitation of the first treatment centre at the Sanatorium, the supplies and equipment donated to the health sector, the support to the local councils for their communities and the sensitisation activities executed were all suitably targeted. Impressively too, the GCCI made its Trade Fair site and equipment available for COVID-19 testing and vaccination. This is superb!,” he noted.
In light of the important role of the Chamber in national affairs, the Gambian calls upon the Gambian private sector to participate more actively in the activities of the GCCI, describing the Chamber as an institution for the entire local business community and it represents the sector responsibly.
“Recognising that the private sector acts as an engine of growth, the work of the GCCI affects every one of us in The Gambia. A flourishing private sector indicates a healthy economy.
From this point of view, we invite all private sector actors to take up the challenge and responsibility of ensuring a thriving private sector, in order to make The Gambia a progressive country for all.
“With regard to Sustainable Development Goal Nine (9), we believe that an effective Public-Private Sector Partnership leads to sustainable and inclusive growth through employment creation, revenue generation and enhancement of livelihoods.
“Guided by this belief, the Government fully supports the private sector to provide essential business services and goods for the common good. In return, I advise that you work closely with the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the interest of both partners,” President Barrow pointed out.
