At the State House in Banjul on Saturday, President Adama Barrow presided over the National Business Council Meeting, which brought together stakeholders, cabinet ministers, business leaders, and government representatives to discuss issues facing the business community and highlight government initiatives to address them.
During his introductory remarks, President Barrow recognized the contribution of the Private Sector to the Council’s growth and reiterated his government’s dedication to cooperation.
“I would want to take this opportunity to thank the Council for the outstanding job that it has been doing to support appropriate policies and strategies on national economic development. In this context, I especially recognize the valuable contribution the business sector has made to the work and advancement of the Council,” he stated.
The private sector has contributed to nation-building through investment, job creation, and tax payments, he continued, and for that the country is grateful.
“I assure you all that the Government will use every resource at its disposal to guarantee that the prerequisites are established for the industry to develop and prosper,” he declared.
President Barrow underlined the special chance that the Business Council provides to talk about problems and find opportunities in the economy to encourage private-sector involvement.
The Gambian Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) President, Mr. Edrissa Mass Jobe, emphasized the goal of the gathering and the private sector’s role in the National Development Plan (NDP).
The aim of today’s sessions was to inform the state about the limitations that exist for conducting business within the nation. We were happy to see that the government was paying attention and that some of the topics we brought up were already on their agenda. They have acknowledged our concerns and assured us that these issues will be addressed before the National Business Council’s next meeting, the speaker stated.
Mr. Jobe went on to cover other important topics, such as helpful regulations that will support the growth of businesses in the Gambia.
We have talked about the subject of rules. Many people who start their own businesses may not have the necessary financial means or know-how, but they still need someone to help them reach their goals. I believe that more beneficial laws will be implemented, allowing the government to assist institutions in fulfilling state requirements,” he stated.
The government’s intentions to enhance the business environment were presented by Hon. Baboucarr Joof, Minister of Trade, Regional Integration, and Employment. He thanked President Barrow for his dedication to engaging in communication with the private sector.
“It is imperative that we collaborate to identify remedies for the reform agenda that you have been advocating for, and develop concerns and solutions that will transform the current state of affairs for the benefit of our people,” he stated.
The gathering was the eighth edition of the National Business Council since its founding in the Gambia and the first one in 2024.