President Adama Barrow of the Gambia has renewed his government’s commitment to support small businesses in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Trade Fair Gambia International being held at the Independence Stadium, Bakau, Mr Barrow said his government believes that an effective public-private sector partnership leads to sustainable and inclusive growth through employment creation, revenue generation and enhancement. And guided by this belief, he said his government fully supports the private sector to provide essential business services and goods for the common good.
He added that during the outbreak of the Covid-19 last year which threatened or shattered livelihoods, the Gambian economy is driven mainly by small businesses.
“Many of the women and youths running such businesses struggled to survive when the country and markets had to observe an extraordinary lockdown,” he said.
Mr Barrow added: “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 D850 million. An additional D224 million together with contributions from our partners, had to be spent for similar reasons.
“Today, it is refreshing to recall that, like all patriotic and concerned citizens, the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI ) complemented government efforts with the businesses against Covid-19 initiative. The 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!”
Mr Barrow said recognising that the private sector acts as an engine of growth, his government is inviting 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.
He added: “I understand and appreciate that, in line with our call for investment in agriculture, a strong emphasis on agri-businesses is gradually emerging. This is laudable, as it is estimated to cut down about US$50 million on rice importation so that “we eat what we grow.” Furthermore, it is a means of creating employment for the youths, and for other women and men who are interested in improving their welfare.
“With many female entrepreneurs and young persons, linked to small and medium enterprises, forming a large part of the exhibitors, we hope that the three weeks ahead will bring the public together to discover what our local entrepreneurs and companies, as well as the regional entrepreneurs and international companies, have to offer. I encourage both parties to make the most of the opportunities available for networking, match-making and discovery, among others.”
