The
Dutch-Gambia Business Link (DGBL) led by Marc Van Maldegem, General Manager of
Kombo Beach Hotel, over the weekend, paid a courtesy call on President-elect
Adama Barrow, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
They
congratulated President-elect Barrow on his victory and assured him of their
support.
Van
Maldegem said Dutch-Gambia Business Link (DGBL) seeks to promote collaboration
between the Dutch business community and the Government of The Gambia.
“We
have an extensive membership of over 20 members representing a multitude of
small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and organisations in various sectors like
tourism, renewable energy, medical services, hospitality, agriculture, import
and export.”
Many
of them have been living and working in The Gambia for more than 10 years, he
said.
“In
our membership, we have a wide range of expert skills with which we can
contribute a variety of unique products and services to the Gambian economy,”
he added.
The
Dutch embassy was also represented by the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of The
Netherlands to The Gambia, he said.
He
noted that the business link is extended to the Dutch-speaking nationals of the
Benelux and to Gambians who are Dutch-speaking and work at or own a business
with a strong relationship with The Netherlands.
He
disclosed that members of the organization have even provided employment for
close to 1000 Gambians.
He
added that they were in The Gambia because they like living in the country, and
not to exploit the nation by enriching themselves and taking profits out of the
country.
He
said they are law-abiding people who are trying to make a substantial
contribution to the development of the country.
“We
Dutch are known to be direct, to the point, multi-cultural, hardworking and we
know how to adapt to new situations.”
A
coalition on the political field is the norm for them, as “this is how it has
always been done in The Netherlands”.
“We
are looking up to the new administration with much anticipation to improve the
environment, for new and existing businesses and investors to contribute to the
growth of the Gambian economy and as such contributed in creating employment.”
He
said the procedures and terms for renewing licenses is reviewed every year in
January and the entire business community has to go through this process
overloading the agencies responsible for this and creating long waiting times.
The
DGBL and its members are ready to work with and support the new administration
as they hope for the better.
The
courtesy call, he added, is a step in creating more fruitful relations between
The Gambia and The Netherlands.
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