By: Fatou Krubally
The Gambia government, on Friday, officially inaugurated the Banjul International Convention Centre Limited (BICC), a new state-owned company that will manage two key facilities created under the country’s hosting of the 15th OIC Islamic Summit, the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre (SDKJ-ICC) and the VVIP Lounge at Banjul International Airport.
The inauguration, chaired by Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow, marked the formal transition of the OIC Secretariat into a limited liability company under the Companies Act. The Vice President explained that after the successful hosting of the OIC Summit in May 2024, the Secretariat’s mandate was extended until March 2025 to allow the Auditor General to complete an audit of its activities.
“Now that the conference was successfully conducted, the Secretariat has completed its assignment. In the process, we have created assets that need to be managed,” VP Jallow noted. He added that the Cabinet, therefore, resolved to establish a new company with its own board of directors to take charge of the facilities.
The Solicitor General, representing the Attorney General, emphasized the legal basis for BICC and announced the composition of its board, as Ambassador Mawdo Juwara was sworn in as chairman, with Ambassador Yusuf Kah as vice chairman. Other members include representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Works, Tourism, and senior officials.
In his acceptance remarks, Chairman Juwara pledged operational efficiency and financial sustainability. He assured the gathering of his “unflinching commitment” to maintain the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre as a premier venue for high-profile events that will contribute to the country’s international image and economy.
Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay described the establishment of BICC as “a milestone in transforming The Gambia into a global conference destination.” He noted that the state-of-the-art facilities give the country a unique opportunity to attract meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
The management of the former OIC Secretariat, now BICC, expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow, the outgoing board, partners, and Gambians for their support in making the OIC Summit a success. They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting The Gambia as a hub for international conferencing.
With the swearing-in of the new board, the BICC assumes full responsibility for safeguarding and managing two of The Gambia’s most prominent infrastructure projects, seen as a key legacy of the OIC Summit and an investment in the country’s future as a conference hub.
