The forum which was held at the Senegambia Beach Hotel and organised by Aluworld, a subsidiary of the Italy-based aluminium company, ALPAR, sought to open an aggressive campaign to boost business growth in The Gambia.
Mrs Naffie Barry, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment in her statement, said the forum was part of their efforts to forge partnership between Gambian and European businesses.
“The Gambia offers you a wide range of exciting opportunities to grow in a business friendly environment, with the full support of our government,” she added. “To our private sector operators, I say the partnership with Italian investors will be a gateway to the European Union – a nation with businesses that offer a wealth of expertise in the areas we need. So, let us make the most of the valuable opportunity we have today. Let us unlock the real potential by deepening commercial ties and in so doing I believe we can look forward to some very exciting years ahead.”
Mrs Barry stated that the extent and speed with which innovations in one country cross borders through the exchange of goods, capital and ideas is unprecedented. “I believe by encouraging investors, The Gambia, can benefit from technology, knowledge and managerial expertise from abroad, hence triggering vertical integration and the development of supply chains. The government is aware that despite significant gains to its infrastructure base, there is still much to be done. From 2012 to date through the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment, the government, while encouraging participation of the private sector has decided to heavily invest in infrastructure.”
In his statement, Abdoulie Camara, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, said the forum came amid consistent calls for greater North-South dialogue for economic partnership.
“The objective of this forum is to encourage Gambian and foreign entrepreneurs to form partnerships and invest in The Gambia,” he added.
The honorary consular general of the republic of Italy in his statement, said Italian investors were looking for countries to invest in and The Gambia happened to be one of those that have been identified.
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