The third edition of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) trade fair kicked off to a promising start last Saturday at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, amidst a high level international participation of over 40 companies from the kingdom of Spain, India, Indonesia, as well as the West African sub region.

This year’s trade fair, on the theme “Tapping the Growth Potentials of the Small and Medium Enterprises,” is aimed at creating external networks; enhance the productive base of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); create a more visible services sector; open doors for formal financing and thus provide the platform for businesses to showcase their products and also stimulate public interest in Gambian products.

The nine-day event, expected to run from the 1st –9th December, clearly demonstrates The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s resolve to further develop the potentials of the private sector and its crucial role in The Gambia’s economy.

In her opening statement the Vice President, Dr. Aja Isatou Njie Saidy, who deputised for the President, underscored the Gambia government’s resolve to continue encouraging youths and women in particular to engage in business so as to enhance their capacity to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

According to Madam Njie-Saidy, plans are already in place to implement GAMJOBS, a project being funded by the UNDP and the Gambia government. This project, she went on, will offer the youths the opportunity to access rewarding life skills in line with the Silicon Valley dream.

“My government sees the private sector as the engine of growth. For it lays a very important role for the realisation of the objectives and mission of the vision 2020 development blue print,” she said, adding that private sector participation is of paramount importance.

For his part, Mr. Bai Matarr Drammeh, President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said a remarkable attribute of any trade fair is its potential to promote joint ventures and new investments.

“The GCCI has put in place a solid trade and investment promotion strategy, which includes trade and investment promotion activities in terms of trade fairs and participation in trade missions, and these activities have been very catalytic in the expansion of marketing outlets for private sector companies, as well as the Small and Medium Enterprises,” he added.

In his statement, Hon. Abdou Colley, Secretary of state for Trade, Industry and employment, pointed out that this year’s theme adequately captures the importance government attaches to the development of Small and Medium Enterprises in The Gambia.

Secy. Colley also expressed his belief that the fair would provide the chance for our local companies and enterprises to explore and invest in new export and trade opportunities for their products and services.

“It is a fact that our entrepreneurs are part of global competitiveness, which has made trade among countries more liberalised and easy but subject them to more competitiveness with each other,” Secy Colley observed.