Despite the challenges faced by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Hasmina contributes significantly to providing employment and income generation with the prime objective of using nature’s precious gift to mankind to promote general well-being, as they outsource all their raw materials for production from local women farmers.
Speaking to The Point newspaper, Aminatta Coker, CEO of Hasmina Essentials & More, said she believes true success is being able to positively impact lives of others, which is why they always work hard to contribute their quota to national development.
She revealed that she is working on expanding her company, which will increase their production capacity and employment rate she believes will be of benefit to all stakeholders involved - from the local women farmers to the staff.
Highlighting the challenges, Coker stated that SMEs play a crucial role in the economy of The Gambia and some of their major challenges are limited access to finance, lack of support for Gambian-made products and hurdles when it comes to exporting bigger markets.
“We do acknowledge the efforts being made; however, we wish more could be done to support the development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises through initiatives promoting entrepreneurship, access to credit and skill training,” the CEO stated.
She said Hasmina Essentials & More was founded in 2020, and currently offers powered products that can be consumed or used tropically. These products, she added, range from Moringa (Nebadye), to Neem(cassia), Tumeric, Activated Charcoal and Orange peel.
They also have a variety of essentials ranging from personal care products, to household must-haves and snacks.
