The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) on Wednesday presented office equipment and a cheque for D36,000 to its Enterprises Business Development Services network, at a ceremony held at GIEPA office on Kairaba Avenue.
The equipment presented included three computers and a printer, together with the D36,000 cheque for one-year office rent.
The Business Development Services network (BDS) was set up by GIEPA to promote micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
GIEPA gave the support to the BDS network to facilitate the functioning of the network, as well as to build and enhance its capacity.
Deputizing for the CEO of GIEPA at the event was the Director of Finance and Administration of GIEPA, Ebrima Jagne, who said: “We are here to witness the presentation of a cheque amounting to D36,000, three computers and a printer from GIEPA to the president of Business Development Services network on behalf of the network services.
He said the equipment would go a long way in helping the network to develop their business skills.
He noted that the network was set up by GIEPA to promote MSMEs to establish the BDS network in The Gambia.
He thanked the management of GIEPA for their hard work in realizing the initiative, and urged the beneficiaries to make best use of the equipment to develop their skills and talents in business development in the country.
The president of the BDS, Ms Fatou Saine Gaye, thanked GIEPA on behalf of the media network, adding that GIEPA has been supporting them since they formed the network.
She said GIEPA has achieved a lot for them, and among the achievements is conducting training activities for their members.
She commended the GIEPA management for coming out with the initiative, and assured them that the network would make best use of the equipment to ensure they achieve what they want, as they are part of GIEPA.
Momodou Drammeh, director of the Enterprise Support Department at GIEPA, described the event as an important day in promoting enterprise business development in the country.
He said BDS is a network of experts set up by GIEPA through the EMPREE Project to enhance the promotion of business development in the country.
The EMPREEE Project is another project of GIEPA that is enhancing the development of entrepreneurship through the training of young people to build their capacity in business development, and give them advice to go in for business, he further stated.