By Yunus S Saliu
The Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Responsible Tourism (ASSERT) in partnership with the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) Saturday morning launched the second edition of the Gambia’s Good Market.
The launching and selling point of the Gambia’s Good Market where people can by quality products produced by Gambian youths was at the front of Petroleum House, Brusubi Turntable.
Gambia’s Good Market is a platform meant to create sustainable tourism product and it features varieties of locally made products produced by young Gambian entrepreneurs that are into fashion, arts and crafts, health and beauty products, accessories, agro processed products and local food among others.
This is with the expressed aim of creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Gambian youth. Also, the market is to equally offer tourists, expatriates and locals remarkable collection of quality products.
Since it is a platform featuring varieties of locally products produced by young Gambian entrepreneurs, the items on display include locally made tie and dye fabrics, bags, necklaces, beads, bead bags, organic creams and soaps, bangles, designer fabric shoes/slippers, locally made drinks like baobab, wonjo, honey, and different cuisines.
In his opening remarks, Momodou Secka, General Manager of ASSERT gave an in-depth background of the Gambia’s Good Market which started in 2018.
He noted that most of the materials used for the displayed items in the market were locally sourced materials and the main aim is to create employment for youths. He noted that the exhibition and sales platform will take place every first Saturday of every month starting from 2nd November onward till May 2020.
The participants, he reiterated, include youth entrepreneurs engaged in natural health and beauty, arts and crafts, fashion and accessories and agro products.
The ASSERT General Manager however called on everyone to patronize the Gambia’s Good Market as it last and as well help youths to contribute their quota in socio economic development through product development and employment creation.
Ngonneh Paneh, Tourism Consultant YEP expressed her institution’s appreciation. She said the Youth Empowerment Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Center in partnership with the Ministries of Trade, Youth and Sports looking into three priority sectors including agro processing and nuts, ICT, Tourism and recently creative industry.
She noted that tourism in particular is a sector that has border that is able to support economic, contribute immensely to employment creation, and contribute to the GDP and infrastructural development.
She said the Gambia’s Good Market is one of such initiative aim and creating sustainable tourism products, securing rights of locally made products by Gambian youths in fashion, agro processing, arts and crafts, health and beauty, local foods and complimentary services activities under the creative and demonstrative arts.
She therefore urged everyone to support the initiative through concerted efforts and dedication.
Ebrima Ceesay – ASSERT, Binta Gassama of Gambia Tourism Board, Maimuna Jahateh representative of the vendors and among other made remarks at the opening of the monthly markets.
