By Olimatou Coker
Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce on Saturday launched a regional trade fair for youth exhibitors in Farafenni in the North Bank Region, under the theme ‘creating space for young entrepreneurs to curb youth migration’.
Organisers are with the believe exhibitions are the best platforms to bring together young entrepreneurs into the industry, give them the opportunity to market their business, talk to as many people as possible, network and take time to learn about their business.
The event was organise by GYCC in partnership with youth empowerment project (YEP) funded by the European Union and implemented by international trade center (ITC).
Speaking at the ceremony, CEO of GYCC, Baboucarr Kebbeh, stated that the commitment of the youth chamber is to prepare, develop, nurture and support the establishment of a functional youth-led micro enterprise and generate employment opportunities across the country through the implementation of the micro enterprise activities.
“We are entrepreneurs that mobilize young African entrepreneurs in the Gambia to improve their future and give them a voice. We create market space by organizing regional exhibitions to get them out of their marginalised position and support them to become successful entrepreneurs; we also promote and network with youth entrepreneurs in the field of Commerce,” he said.
He thanked the EU for their support through the ITC and YEP Gambia as their key partners in staging the first ever regional youth exhibition.
He urged youths to stop being deceived by politicians. “We should never allow to be divided by politicians or fight on tribal lines. I equally want to call on government and the private sectors to support us as young entrepreneurs to access finance. We don’t need loans with too many conditions; what we need as young people is to be given grants because we want to emulate the likes of YEP. They have just launched a mini-grant for young people with very little measures. These are the type of support we entrepreneurs need,” he said.
For his part, technical advisor and M & E specialist (YEP), Modou Touray said the youth empowerment project (YEP) is determine to fight the root causes of irregular migration.
“It is what we are saying no to but not migration in general.
Other speakers included Binta Njie, NBR youth committee representative and Mr Landing Sanneh, representative of the governor of NBR.
