‘Public Private Partnership should be strengthened if Gambia is to develop’

The Gambia private sector players have strongly observed that the only way to maintain and further strengthen the economic development of the country is to make stronger the partnership between the public and the private sectors.

This statement was made at a day-long forum on the ‘Prospects and Opportunities of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in The Gambia’ organised by the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) held at the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa Hotel in Bijilo.

The forum attracted stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to discuss ways and means to strengthen the partnership between the two sectors.

Almami Taal, CEO of Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Speaking on the occasion, Almami Fanding Taal, chief executive officer of GCCI, noted that PPP has the advantage for government in the areas of resource mobilisation, access to expert skills, increased efficiency, and would also ease the burden on public budgets, and improve delivery of services.

When strengthened, PPP can increase access to markets and job creation.

He stressed that a well-planned PPP can sustain the economic growth of the country which will also benefits all sectors of the economy.

My tenure at the GCCI was very eventful: Bai Matarr Drammeh

The apex body of the Gambia private sector has seen the exit of several of its presidents who have worked very hard to take the chamber to higher levels in its over 40-year existence. The seventh in that trend is Bai Matarr Drammeh, who served the chamber for six years (2006 - 2012).  In this interview, the astute economist and private investor, who has served at senior capacity in many institutions in The Gambia and beyond, speaks to MatketPlace Business newspaper on his tenure as President of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

Bai Matarr Drammeh

Having served the private sector of The Gambia for six years as president of the GCCI, how would you explain your term of service?

It was eventful; I will say that I am very pleased because if you were at the annual general meeting [held on 5 October 2012] you would see the interest members have in the Chamber now. 

During the AGM in 2006, when I was elected as the president, I said that I was coming in for two reasons: one, to make sure that the Chamber has a head office, and secondly to increase the number and quality of members.  These were my mission and I have been able to achieve them.

There were other things you could have chosen to be your mission as the president, why did you choose these particular ones?

I realised that for over 40 years of existence of the GCCI, we were renting, could not identify a place for our own property, our own home.  If an organization is to be looked upon as a very serious organization it should have something to be identified with, your own office and there was nothing the Chamber had to show to the public that is worth emulating.  So when I realised that, I said to myself somebody got to do it.  I was the seventh president, so before me there were six presidents and my immediate predecessor, [Abdoulie Baks Touray] often told me that ‘What you have done is what I wanted to do and is what all the previous presidents of the Chamber wanted to do, but God has allowed you to get it done so we should all be happy; you are the one who has been able to do what we could not do’. 

What were your strengths as the president of the Chamber?

My strength was the fact that I am a very patient guy, I used to be calm in doing things - I am very calm and understanding.  That aside, I am a very good listener.  All these together gave me an easy ride.  In difficult moments or in moments of misunderstanding I will be strong enough to say ‘no!’  I will say ‘no this is where I am going, if you are with me we go this way; if you are not with me I still go the way I was going’. 

I have had good times with the board members and rough times with some of them who had other agenda, who wanted to do other things different from what I wanted but then I have stayed on course and I got up to where we are now and at the end they are all happy about it. 

Sometimes it’s not very easy though, but we got things done, because I had very good board members who were sincere, committed, and open and if they were convinced something was good, or was in the interest of the Chamber they would go along. 

And I was particularly pleased with the female board members because they are very, very loyal and supportive.  I can tell you that the female members of any organization are always the best members of the organization – they are always loyal and dedicated.

What were some of your weaknesses?

Indeed I have weakness; some people in the end call it virtue, but I think it was a weakness, it was a weakness in that I over controlled my temperament. There were moments when I could have said awful things to my people because of the way they reacted but I was able to keep calm and in the end I would blame myself for not having done so – get angry and say things that may not be nice.  So, that I thought was a weakness but others tell me ‘no it is a virtue, it’s wisdom and it comes with maturity’ but I thought it as a weakness. I think that is my only weakness.

I am sure you may have had some things you wanted to accomplish during your tenure but could not for one thing or the other. Can you share these with us?

Yes, yes absolutely that is true.  I really, really wanted to get a trade fair complex for the Chamber.  The government has been kind enough to allocate a piece of land for that purpose and it’s located near the Sukuta Women’s Garden, in Sukuta.  I have started talking to some outside partners to get the place constructed.  We were on the verge of getting a suitable plan as to how the place should be built but I have every confidence that the new president will take it up because when I was the president he was my trade fair manager, so he knows everything that is important to know about the trade fair and I think he will dedicate some time in making sure that the complex is built. 

Bai Matarr Drammeh: “The greatest enemies of the GCCI are the membership”

Bai Matarr Drammeh, outgoing GCCI president

The outgoing president of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and industry (GCCI), Bai Matarr Drammeh, has noted that the greatest enemies of the Chamber are the members who keep on blaming the Chamber for not doing anything while they don’t bring any issue that needs solution from the Chamber.

Mr Drammeh’s comment was prompted by many questions, comments and concerns as to the efficiency of the GCCI raised by the members present at its annual general meeting held on 5^th October, 2012 at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi,

Pa Sulay Secka of Pass Trading Enterprise said the GCCI should be doing more to protect the indigenous businesses for them to be able to growth and create more employment opportunities. 

Ousainou Dambell of DBC said it will be difficult for the indigenous businesses to compete with the powerful and well established businesses if they are left like that - without any protection. “The businesses should be protected first for them to stand on a strong footing to compete internationally,” he said.  He claimed that many local businesses in the country are suffering from lack of protection.

Both Mr Secka and Dambell claimed that the GCCI is not doing much to protect and create conducive environment for local businesses to flourish.

For Papa Yusupha Njie of Unique Solutions businesses in the country are “facing very difficult times” and that the Chamber should be doing more to support its members. 

Mr Njie said when the Senegalese chamber of commerce wants to meet the president of Senegal to table their constraints, they can see him within 24 hours because they are very proactive and working for their members “that is the type of chamber we want in The Gambia” – a chamber that is very active and working for the needs of its members.  Papa Njie’s comment was applauded by the members. 

In response to Papa Njie’s comment, Bai Matarr Drammeh said Senegalese chamber can meet the president of Senegal within a very short notice because the leader, (the president of the chamber), is appointed politically, like many other francophone countries within the sub-region.

He said:  “I think the issue of Senegalese wanting to meet the president of their country and within a couple of hours they are able to that is because they have political appointment.  The president of the chamber of commerce is appointed politically (by the government).  In The Gambia, we are private sector totally without any funding by the government and therefore we will see government when they have time for us.” 

GCCI undergoing financial constraints

 Unable to fulfill missions towards members

The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), apex body of the private sector operators in the country, is undergoing difficulties constraint hence not able to meet its needs, fulfill its missions toward members, and also unable to hire more professional staff to be part of the team to run daily affairs of the Secretariat effectively, Gambia News Online can reveal.  

GCCI CEO, Almami Fanding Taal

“In adequate financial resources has been a major setback for GCCI in terms of addressing the growing demands of the private sector,” the annual reports and financial statements for the years 2006 – June 2012 of the Chamber has stated. 

Due to financial predicament, the GCCI membership training has not been conducted for quite some time owing to the cost involved; it was difficult to mobilize interested participants.

The report, presented at the annual general meeting of the GCCI held on 5th October, 2012 at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi, said the dinner lecture series of the Chamber was suspended due to lack of follow up and financial support.

The Gambia News Online understands that some members and partners of the GCCI were becoming reluctant in sponsoring or being part of GCCI activities organized for the membership, causing financial constraints for the Chamber.

Due to lack of effective implementation of its missions towards members as a result of insufficient finances, the Chamber is finding it difficult to retain current membership and also recruitment of new members is a daunting challenge.    

GCCI to stage mini-trade fair for youth entrepreneurs in Brikama

The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry is set to stage the second edition of its mini-trade fair, ‘Marche Jula’, from 11 to 20 October this year in Brikama to promote youth entrepreneurs and enterprises, after interacting with young enterprising men and women in the country over the months.

Almami Taal, GCCI CEO

To be held on the theme “Promoting Sustainable Youth Enterprises and Self Employment”, the aims of the event, first staged in 2011, include exposing youth enterprises, promoting self-employment, increasing sales for youth enterprises and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), showcasing innovations in science and technology, and complementing Trade Fair Gambia (TFG), held every two years.

An impeccable source close to this paper has said the target businesses are youth enterprises, MSMEs, science and technology innovations, and self-employment initiatives in agriculture, arts and craft, construction, electrical and electronics, fashion, food and beverages, furniture, renewable energy, tailoring and other undertakings. 

This year’s Marche Jula will provide a platform for young people to showcase their skills, talents and innovation, particularly in science and technology, thereby giving them more business opportunities and market power.  

GCCI honours Gambia’s best in business operation

Sterling economic operators in The Gambia have been giving a shot in the arm for their excellent and remarkable performance in business in 2011, by the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry at its 19th Annual Business Awards held at the Coco Ocean Resort and Spa on 1 June this year.

These are business concerns considered to have demonstrated core values of business excellence, product excellence, sustainability and commercial success in their various spheres of business operations.  

The prestigious annual business awards night and gala dinner witnessed the presentation of the awards to the crème de le crème, best of the best businesses in the country in the following categories: Enterprise of the Year, Bank of the Year, Insurance Company of the Year, Manufacturing Company of the Year, Telecommunications Company of the Year, Start-up of the Year, Partner to the Business Community, Hotel of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and Eco-Tourism Business of the Year.

The Enterprise of the Year award went to Lasting Solutions, a Gambian-owned company that specializes in all sorts of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related products and services.  The other nominees are BB Electrical and Scape.

This year Trust Bank Limited, the winner of the Bank of the Year award for the past five years, lost the award to Guaranty Trust Bank, thanks to the innovative and outstanding performance of the latter. 

GCCI schedules date for Annual Business Awards, increases number of prizes

The prestigious annual business award of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in which businesses and individuals in the private sector are recognise and celebrated for their outstanding performance, is scheduled to take place on 1^st June and four new categories of award are add to the ten categories awarded last year.

During the awards a new breed of economic operators would be awarded for excellence in doing performance.  The aim of the event is to promote and nurture business excellence, and motivate business entities to do more for the economic growth and social development.

This year’s award night will witness the award of hotel, restaurant, tourism, and insurance ‘Company of the Year’ in addition to the ten awarded categories given last year.

Alammy Taal GCCI CEO

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the GCCI, Almamy Taal, the annual awards also seeks to draw public attention to  the role of the private sector and realize the innovativeness of entrepreneurship in the sector. 

Mr Taal, who was speaking to journalists on Tuesday at a press conference held at Kerr Jula, the GCCI head office located in Bijilo along Bertil Harding Highway, said the dinner is meant to recognise the efforts and gains made by the business community in the country in contributing towards the socio-economic development of the nation.

He explained that the proceeds from this year’s awards night will be used to help the farmers.

To attend Annual Business Awards Night Dinner, individuals and institutions pay money in form of buying tables of different categories – gold, silver, platinum – the proceeds of which the GCCI used to fund some of its activities, but the CEO of the Chamber emphasized that “greater part of this year’s annual dinner award proceeds will be given to Gambian farmers in support of this year’s crop failure”.

Nigerian Investors Look at Gambia Business Potentials

Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency has made bare investment potentials in the country to Nigerian investors who are currently in The Gambia to explore investment opportunities which exist in the country, particularly in the area of light manufacturing. A delegation from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are on a four day investment mission in The Gambia which is geared towards providing opportunity for Nigerian private sector operators to network with The Gambian business community and build sustainable  business relationships. Pic: Naffie Barry, P.S. Min. of Trade and Fatou Jallow, CEO of GIEPA Ben Roberts, director of business and export development department of GIEPA told the Nigerian investors that The Gambia has many unexploited investment opportunities especially in the area of agriculture, fisheries, energy, manufacturing, mining and exploration, transportation, and warehousing. Mr Roberts was speaking at a day-long forum organized by GIEPA in collaboration with Gambia Chambers of Commerce and Industry under the theme “harnessing business opportunities in The Gambia”. He said the investors should invest in The Gambia because the country is a liberal economy, it is closed to many major international markets, and the government offers attractive investment incentives. Investment incentives offer by the government includes waiver on corporate tax for 5 to 10 years, depending on area of investment, and waiver on import tax for inputs and capital equipments. Ambrose Orunche, leader of the Nigerian delegation, said the mere fact that they came to the Gambia to explore potential areas to invest in means they is ready to do business in the country The chief executive officer of GIEPA, Fatou Jallow, explained that the Nigerian delegation are in The Gambia is as a result of an initiative of their predecessor, Gambia Investment promotion and Free Zone Agency (GIPFZA), which phased out in 2010.  She said GIPFZA targets Nigeria as a source of Foreign Direct Investment for The Gambia. “We believe that it is still important to pursue the initiative not only to attract investments but also to promote trade as a tool towards regional integration and as a means to enhance business links between our two countries,” she said. Trade between Gambia and Nigeria has been decreasing since 2007. The Gambia and Nigeria has always enjoyed excellent bilateral relationships particularly at the political, social and economic levels and significant growth has been registered in terms of business and investment particularly in financial sector.  The country in recent years has witnessed an influx of banks from Nigeria. Bai Matarr Drammeh, the president of Gambia Chambers of Commerce and Industry noted that the government of The Gambia has achieved significant milestones in creating an enabling environment for the private sector through the creation of sound policies.. He said the Chambers will also continue to plays its role of encouraging investment growth, and promoting trade and partnership between the Gambia business community and members of the private sector around the world, particularly within the sub-region. Sarata Conateh, officer-in-charge of the Chambers, said the interaction between Nigerian private sector operators and their counterparts in The Gambia has provided a unique opportunity at the doorsteps of members of both private sectors to interact and draw concrete plans for partnerships and business ventures. Naffie Barry, permanent secretary ministry trade, industry and regional integration, said the mission comes to reinforce the commitment of the two governments to encourage the private sector as the engine of growth and to concretize the policy of the African Union and ECOWAS to promote South-South integration through trade. He assured the Nigerian investors of Gambia government’s support.