Trade minister meets major importers, retailers

By Aminata s Kuyateh The Minister of trade, regional integration and employment Tuesday met major importers and retailers in the country’s trade and business sector. The meeting was meant to discuss, familiarise and build way forward with major importers and retailers in the business arena. Speaking at the conference, Dr Isatou Touray, the minister, urged business heads to be moderate and considerate in pricing their commodities. She promised to involve the ordinary people in the sector in all decision-making. “It is going to be one of the management styles as long as I am the minister for this ministry. I will do all my best to make sure we listen to the voices of the people; we take their concern even if as we cannot answer everything at a time. “My technical people will be here to guide the process. The president always says power to people, and it is them that brought us to these positions.” Barely two weeks in office and tasked with the responsibility of ensuring growth in trade, Dr Touray said buyers will enjoy affordability of supplies especially basic food commodities. Amadou Colley, governor of Central Bank of the Gambia, said: “Central banks are the key role players in the business sector. The past 6 years the bank faced challenges which hindered its operations. “Gambia is a trading nation, so the best we can do as government and as a country is to support. My expectations are high but I am part of the economic management team responsible for working with my colleagues in order to support and implement what is right.” Also speaking, Sulayman Joof, GCCI, said if the tax system is reviewed and many incentives given to the private sector, then the employment rate will increase and businesses will grow. “We paid 30% to operate tax on profit; most of our business is re-exporting, and if the government is talking about private sector, to provide employment and growth I think the tax system should be looked into,” he said.]]>