The seminar on franchising-a bullet proof way to success was jointly held by the US Embassy Banjul and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) on Wednesday 22nd May, 2013 at SunSwing Beach Resort in Kololi.
The synergy brought together the private sector, experts, among others, to discuss issues relating to franchising businesses to America.
In declaring the event officially opened, Hon. Kebba Touray, the minister of trade and employment, said the seminar once again demonstrated the strong desire and commitment of the United States of Embassy to promote solid business ties between the two nations.
“In previous years, the Embassy, in collaboration with my ministry has organised series of training programs, including the Africa Growth Opportunity Act, which provides unparallel to eligible African countries like the Gambia to do business with United States,” he said.
According to him, one such training programme specifically targets Gambian fashion designers, culminating in their participation in textile and sewn product industry in Atlanta 2010.
As a result of such training, he said, many of the designers have invested heavily on new equipment to improve the quality of their products.
He said “the seminar on franchising has a direct bearing and significant impacts on several of our portfolios, namely enterprise development, investment and trade promotion and enhancement of sustainable livelihood, which all together tie to the overall objective of PAGE.”
Minister Touray stated that franchising has become the driving force to economies around the world, offering proven business structures for entrepreneurs to deliver goods and services, locally within the strength of international brand names and processes behind them.
For his part, the US ambassador to The Gambia Mr Edward Alford said in the United States the private sector has over the past decades developed a very successful service industry.
“From fast food restaurants to insurance providers, franchising allow both flexibility in management, low liability and individual investment paired, with marketing and logistical support from parents companies. This has spelled successes throughout the United States and is quickly catching up the imagination of entrepreneurs all over the world,” he concluded.
