The
Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) will be organizing its 25th GCCI
business awards dinner for this year, which also commemorates GCCI’s 50th
anniversary in its role as the voice of the business community in The Gambia.
This
year’s business award, which is scheduled for 12 May 2017, will feature various
categories ranging from young entrepreneur of the year, to bank of the year,
emerging business of the year, leading business of the year, best business
concept and small and medium entrepreneur of the year.
The
theme for this year’s business award is: “Economic Transformation for Gambian
Business Empowerment”.
According
to the chamber, as the sole representative of the private sector, GCCI has been
able to forge various partnerships with Government institutions, donor partners
and other chambers of commerce in support of Gambian businesses.
Each
year, the GCCI business awards dinner attracts hundreds of prominent
businesses, leaders and dignitaries to celebrate the success of businesses that
have made outstanding achievements in the core values of business excellence,
product excellence, sustainability and commercial success in their respective
industries.
The
award also recognizes significant contributions made by businesses in the
socio-economic development of The Gambia through excellence of service,
commitment to their customers, corporate social responsibility, employee
recognition, and environmental sustainability.
It
would be recalled that over the years, award categories have been considered on
the general outlook of the country’s national economic priorities and other
emerging facets of the economy.
According
to Sarata Conateh, director of economic planning and business development, this
year’s business award will be of a difference, as they are looking forward to
this year’s event because it is GCCI’s 50th year anniversary, and the 25th year
of observing the GCCI award dinner, which he described as two key milestones in
the business industry.
GCCI
is hoping to hold the dinner in grand style, as usual, as many guests from the
sub-region are expected to commemorate the event, “but more so it will be a
reflection of the new Gambia. We will be extending our invitation to His
Excellency the President and the vice president as key partners on this
journey”.
She
said the GCCI had paid two courtesy calls on the President, which were all
“positive”, stating that the president was overwhelmed by the courtesy calls.
During
their meetings, she noted, the President also said: “GCCI is a dynamic and
independent voice for business networks in The Gambia. I am a big fan of
business ownership and my administration will do all it can to support business
innovation and growth in the new Gambia.”
Mrs
Conateh said GCCI’s expectations are high, as partners and, hopefully, would
come out and celebrate with them.
“The
best part in celebrating is doing it with partners who are part of the journey,
those that were there 20 years ago and that can remember where GCCI was and
where it is now.”
