Auto Julia Portugal, one of the most  ranked Portuguese  solid company  aimed at building bridges of business in the areas of investment, trade and management, last Friday launched its new branch in The Gambia called Auto Julio Group Gambia situated at OSA Motors Building along Bertil Harding Highway,  Senegambia.

Auto Julio Group is also the largest dealer for Mitsubishi in Europe and the number one representative of Nissan and Hyundai in the Portuguese market with an average sale of 2000 vehicles annually. According to Carlos Ribeiro, Auto Julio Group overseas director, in 2008, Auto Julio income turnover statistics was €200,000,000.

Carlos Ribeiro further revealed that their association with Gambian companies, OSA Motors and Auto Julio Group Gambia Company, will develop business in the local market in the areas  of renewable energies, fishing, river transportation, construction, civil works, and commodities. He then observed that this could be done through project development and business opportunities.  He added that Auto julio Group Gambia Company is looking forward to build a strong business ethic and foundation in The Gambian market.

Sana Jaiteh, chairman, Board of Directors of Auto Julia Group Gambia, who welcomed the audience at the launching, said the new born Auto Julio Group Gambia Company, has the potential to create direct employment opportunity for over 500 Gambians. He said the company is interested in collaborating with the Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Zone Agency (GIPFZA), Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)and other development partners geared towards realising investment opportunities.

In his launching statement, Abdou Colley, secretary of state for Trade, Industry and Employment, thanked Auto Julio Group for choosing The Gambia as their next investment destination. He assured them of government’s support noting that The Gambia can serve as a gateway for the  sub-region.

SoS Colley focused more on investment as according to him, it is one of the areas that need more investors to explore. He encouraged the group to forge partnership with some investors in the country. He then called on the private investors, to try as much as possible, to pull their resources together to enable them widen their businesses. To make the occasion lively, a short quiz competition was held where some members of the audience won some token prizes.

The occasion was witnessed by secretaries of state, NGO representatives, and some businessmen. It could be recalled that Auto Julio Group was founded in 1987 as a family owned business with over 180 employees. It is currently made up of 11 sister companies spread over Portugal and Brazil which deals in selling fuel, lubricants, car-rentals, insurance, finance consulting, real estate, selling and maintenance of new and used cars, among others.