The Organizing Committee of the 2007 Trade Fair on Monday launched the trade fair information folder heralding the beginning the marketing and publicity awareness campaign for a successful trade fair.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the folder at the LG Electronics Headquarters along Kairaba Avenue, the President of Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Bai Matarr Drammeh, said that GCCI is appreciative of the opportunity of organizing trade fairs and the ‘tremendous’ support received from the government, the sponsors and partners and, especially the general public.

“The theme of this year’s trade fair is, “Tapping the Growth Potentials of the Small and Medium Enterprises”, and is aimed at building on the gains made from the 2005 trade fair. The trade fair will also provide the platform for businesses to showcase their product and also stimulate public interest in Gambian products,” GCCI boss revealed.

Mr. Drammeh reassured Gambians of GCCI’s readiness to continue to organise a trade fair every two years in order to help the private sector achieve their business goals and aspirations.

“We hope that this year’s trade fair will open new avenues for private sector growth and expansion in the Gambia, especially for the benefit of the small and medium enterprises,” he added.

Mr. Drammeh expressed GCCI’s gratitude and appreciation to all stakeholders who are playing active roles to make the forthcoming trade fair a success, especially the chairman and members of the Trade Fair Committee.

Mr. Fady Hochiemy of LG Electronics, one of the major sponsors of the trade fair, in his statement, said LG Electronics is honored to be part of this ‘grand event’, especially taking into consideration the success of the two trade fairs before it.

“I think we can all agree that The Gambia trade fair is perhaps the only single largest forum, which affords large and small businesses to showcase their products and services in one location to the general public,” Mr. Hochiemy posited.

He added that LG Electronics is of a firm belief and conviction that this year’s trade fair would be the best ever organized by GCCI.

“As a major sponsor to this year’s trade fair, LG recognises the significant responsibility it has towards making this event a memorable one to the general public,” he stressed.

Mustapha Njie, Managing Director of TAF Holdings Company Limited, one of the major sponsors of the event, highlighted that GCCI and TAF Holdings have a good relationship in the past and that they would ensure at all times to consolidate this.

Mr. Njie pointed out that TAF Holdings emerged as the best stand some four years ago and in the past two editions they also came out the most attractive stand and for this year they want to be the best.

 In his launching statement, the Chairman of the 2007 Trade Fair Committee and Managing Director of J-Fin money Transfer, Muhammad Jagana, explained  that some of the main features of this year’s trade fair are the “Investment Forum” and the “My Day of Business”.

“The investment forum will allow companies with new products in the market to use this platform to introduce such products to government, policy makers, foreign investors and the general public.

The My Day of Business will create a unique opportunity for companies to demonstrate their products and services, by taking the center stage at the trade fair grounds accompanied by the playing of jingles. The allocated time is from 1pm to 8pm,” he revealed.

Mr. Jagana thanked their main sponsors, LG Electronics and TAF Holding Company as well as their official partners namely Gamtel, Trust Bank, Africell, GIPZA and Gamcel.

The ceremony was chaired by Beatrice Allen, coordinator of the trade fair and the vote of thanks was delivered by Mam Cherno Jallow, CEO of GCCI.

It could be noted that the trade fair would be held from 1-9 December, 2007.It would be attended by international businesses as Spain has already confirmed their participation.