SMEs team up to promote Gambia business climate

GASMEU was recently established by local businesspeople and vendors of the informal sector, although not yet fully formalised and operational, in a bid to team up their efforts and foster collaboration to strengthen their various enterprises.

The Saturday meeting manifested a symbol of an unprecedented sense of unity and determination among local entrepreneurs, as they hoped with the accomplishment of their intended moves, business in the country would be massively enhanced.

Notable attendees included Saidyna Omar Joof, Simaroc Farms proprietor and a prominent agribusiness figure. Mr Joof, not only a seasoned businessman but also an esteemed educationist and Islamic tutor, is anticipated by many local entrepreneurs to be of great value to such an initiative, especially with the wealth of experience from his 31-year tenure at GPTC, the UN, and MRC.

In his address to his fellow businesspeople, he emphasised pragmatism and dedication to this universal call for cooperation that would be a win-win situation for all of them and the general business community of the nation.

He therefore urged the commitment of all to ensure that their shared vision becomes a reality soon.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Bakary Jadama, the CEO of Mariatou Trade Links Enterprise, emphasised the crucial role their institution plays in connecting businesses within The Gambia and beyond.

Jadama highlighted the establishment of Mariatou Trade Links Enterprise as a response to a perceived void in the Gambian market, underlining the necessity for collaborative efforts to stimulate drastic national economic growth.

The meeting drew a diverse array of entrepreneurs, representing various sectors of the economy. Food processors, poultry farmers, horticultural farmers, stationary dealers, general traders, gardeners, caterers, event planners, vendors and other national and international business dealers were present, underscoring the broad spectrum of industries that stand to benefit from this intended collaboration.

The discussions during the event centred around the challenges small and medium-sized businesses face and the potential solutions that could arise through collective actions. Also discussed were accessing markets more efficiently, networking and trading with one another, and navigating regulatory hurdles.