By Adama Makasuba
Leader of one of the opposition parties in the country, Gambia Action Party, has promised that its government will slash a 10% tax on businesses in the country in a bid to help save businesses from collapsing.
Speaking at the party’s congress on Sunday at Coral Hotel, GAP’s secretary general, Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, said his party will establish ‘Gambia Investment Bank’ which would help entrepreneurs and small-scale businesses to take loans in order to avoid going bankrupt.
“GAP administration shall establish a Gambia Investment Commission (which will be) under the Ministry of Industrial and Infrastructural Development to access all potential opportunities in the Gambia to our investors. We believe in Gambian talents and innovation. This is why we shall make sure that you have support to strive.
“Towards this endeavour, our government shall cut down 10% of the taxes to ensure that no business collapses due to taxation,” Mr Batchilly said.
He also promised to create conducive environment for the business community in order to encourage economic growth in the country.
On the health sector, he said “it is mandatory for every responsible government to secure the lives of the citizens otherwise this government is not fit for the purpose of governance.”
“It is saddened to me that our women die just to produce (give birth) in this 21st century and the government officials seek overseas treatment while the ordinary Gambians continue to struggle for life,” he said.
He promised to give priority to the health sector with combating measures against several diseases in the country through introduction of vaccination immunisation