Gambian
business tycoon, Ansumana Julakay Marenah, proprietor of Julla Engineering
Services, has urged the government under the presidency of Adama Barrow to draw
more attention in supporting and empowering the Gambia Chamber of Commerce, as
the gateway to success.
He
underscored the role of the chamber of commerce as very vital in the
development of any country, adding that no country can develop in the absence
of well-oriented development investors.
Speaking
to this reporter, Mr Marenah said the new government should recognise the role
of the chamber and do everything possible to empower the sector in a bid to
boost the economy.
Mr
Marenah added that it is through the chamber that most of the foreign investors
come through and channel their businesses.
Therefore,
he added, it is important that the chamber is empower, to attend to the needs
of investors.
He
also advised the business community to trust their employees, and to work with
the new government.
Despite
their political affiliation, people should put aside their differences and put
the country’s interest first, but not a political party.
The
investors need to know that Gambians are very intelligent and have the
potential, he said, adding that there is no business in the world that Gambian
cannot manage.
The
new government needs to give a chance to the business community, and to allow
the local business community to handle the country’s businesses rather than
giving business to the foreigners.
Gambia
has people with huge potentials, who have skills and expertise to deliver up to
expectations, he said, adding that the former government was suppressing the
business community and the business people were not given the chance to handle
their own businesses in peace.
He
also stated that in most of the countries when investors go to, they partner
with the citizens, but in the case of The Gambia, the former regime did not
encourage the Gambian business community to adopt the culture of partnership
with foreign investors.
He
cited the role of the chamber as key in advising the government to have better
investors, saying the new government
should support the chamber as that is the only way to salvage the Gambian
people, and attract more investors to
come and invest heavily in the country.
He
also advised the business community to be partnering with the government, and
to be honest and to respect the laws of the land and be God-fearing in their
businesses.
“I
have never opposed a sitting government, and I urged people to support the new
government.”
Mr
Marenah also urged business owners to trust their employees.
“We the investors want to manage everything
which is impossible. We have to differentiate business, from family and
friend.”
