Through the Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development Project (EPSDP) under the UNDP, an industrious Gambian youth entrepreneur, Saikou Bojang, has been provided with 2 tricycles and 50 bags of flour. Saikou owns a bakery in Brikama and these items are quite essential to boost his efforts in providing "quality and affordable bread to his community", project officials say.
The items were handed over to him on Monday, 6th September, 2021 at the Ministry of Trade Industry and Employment (MoTIE) in Banjul.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Technical, at MoTIE, Abdoulie Jammeh, said the equipment and inputs will improve the capacity of Saikou's business and facilitate the distribution of his products. “With this support I am sure you will be able to increase the production of bread and easily reach out to many of your clients in time,” he added.
Mr Jammeh affirmed that the Ministry is closely collaborating with UNDP to empower youths to be more resourceful and to participate more effectively in the economy. “We are also working closely with other partners such as International Trade Centre in support of women entrepreneurs under the SheTrades Gambia Project; building the production capacities of their businesses to trade more.”
He remarked: “I wish to assure him of the Ministry’s continual support to the development of MSMEs in The Gambia”.
Saikou Bojang, the beneficiary, expressed delight and appreciation for the EPSD Project, affirming that the donated equipment will help his drive to providing quality and affordable bread to his community.
“I encourage my fellow youths to acquire marketable skills in order to be self-reliant, as well as gain employment in the productive sector of the economy,” Bojang advised.