By Kumba Leigh
In the quest to creating more employment opportunities for the Gambian youth and promoting Gambia’s business to the world, the Banjul International Trade Fair fiesta (BITF 0.1) is set to be held from 6th to 31st December, 2024. The event, to be organised by The Gambia Women Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) and Gambia Start-Up Chamber of Commerce (GSCC), targets 400 exhibitors at the Independent Stadium with 60% being international exhibitors.
Requiring total funding of D5.3 million, the occasion is meant to promote tourism and culture through musical jamboree for young artists. It will feature fashion night, pitching competition, pre-trade fair training on packaging and branding, Youth Day and Women’s Day celebrations.
This, organisers believe, will provide MSMEs the market space, market linkages and sustain their business and provide employment opportunities.
Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) and Gambia Start-up Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) will stage the Banjul International Trade Fair 2024.
The Chief Executive Officer, Gambia Start-up Chamber of Commerce, Mr Baboucarr Kebbeh, said the reason for organising such a grand event is to connect Gambian entrepreneurs with international trade initiatives along the Africa trade corridors.
He added that the objectives of the trade fair are to create space for start-ups and women entrepreneurs in The Gambia, especially those dealing with “Made In The Gambia’’ to exhibit their products and services, network with other international vendors to unlock the income potentials, and boost the economic growth of businesses in The Gambia.
“It is also believed that it will increase networking, income and business exposure of entrepreneurs and as well build their capacities on product development, branding and marketing, create market linkage for start-ups in The Gambia, creating awareness of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), boast confidence of start-ups in the commercial sector of The Gambia, establish inter-country networking events (B2B) for Gambian businesses to facilitate partnership, enable at least 10,000 visitors to the Trade fair, enhance and unlock the potential entrepreneurs at grassroots level in business entrepreneurship, recruit and increase their membership,and increasing the visibility of partners in all events.”
The CEO believes that entrepreneurship is the most sustainable means of creating employment, which has great potentials in addressing the root causes of irregular migration.
He observed that women in the business sector face many challenges. “Female owned enterprises are less likely to register their businesses, and they perceive tax rates and customs as greater constraints to business growth compared to men. Discriminative practices in the inheritance and ownership of land and other properties pose fundamental constraints to women entrepreneurs, especially as they restrict their access to formal financing mechanism.”
Mr Kebbeh therefore indicated that the Trade Fair will be a timely opportunity for women to network, discover sources of funding, share experiences and build new partnerships to enhance their entrepreneurial capacities. “These experiences will focus on addressing some of the challenges faced by women in business and providing a platform for peer learning from successful businesswomen that have overcome these challenges,” he added.
Activities and pre-event
CEO Kebbeh informed that they will set up a national organising committee, launch online and offline application, launch Banjul International Trade Fair 1.0 4, mobilize resources, engage the media and organise business enhancement trainings for participants.
The events will also include special visits by dignitaries from Gambia and abroad and Mayor’s Day.
Trade Fairs are an enormously important part of the marketing activities of most types of business, ranging from the largest multinationals to small family businesses. All evidence of the research confirms that opportunities to get face-to-face with customers and potential future clients remain an incredibly valuable tool for developing new business. Even in this day and age of exciting multi-channel and internet-based communication, the need for personal interaction has never been more important.
Partners include: Trade Ministry, Ministry of Agriculture, UNFPA, UNDP, TWW, ITC, SHETRADES, IOM, FAO Gambia, NEDI, NYC, TIKA Banjul, ROOTS project, GIRAV Project, COMIUM, AFRICELL-Afrimoney, QCELL, JAH OIL COMPANY, GAMSTER INSURANCE, PRIME INSURANCE, WAVE, Leigh Water company and properties, and SHELTER FOR LIFE INTERNATIONAL
The Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) serve as an inclusive entity delivering economic opportunities for the development and empowerment of women through innovation, education, training, advocacy, linkages and mentoring. The chamber’s core values is based on professionalism, inclusivity and empowerment of its members while The Gambia Start-Up Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) is a Trade and business support organization registered with Attorney General Chambers.
