By: Nyima Sillah
Alieu Secka, Chief Executive Officer of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Agriculture, and Employers Association has said 4.4million new companies started worldwide in 2021.
Secka recently made this remarks while speaking at the 2nd edition of the GCCI national start-up forum in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
He noted that the second edition aimed at bringing together start-ups from rural and urban Gambia, policymakers and, experienced economic operators to discuss issues affecting start-ups in The Gambia.
He said the 4.4million new companies was the highest increase of start-ups in the past decades, adding that The GCCI is particularly also pleased to continue its partnership with cash and give opportunities for the youth, women, and certainly experience entrepreneurs making a new livelihood with changing careers.
“Last MSME mapping survey that was conducted in 2018 which registered hundred and twenty thousand thereabouts micro small and medium enterprises and start-ups in The Gambia with over 90% of the private sector operators and start-ups contributing as much as 60% of employment in the Gambia,” Secka said.
“Micros and start-up businesses are central to the link between the private sector and poverty reduction making them crucial instruments for both income distributions and equitable gender participation,” he added.
According to him, worldwide, micros and start-up businesses account for 95% of all businesses and this is particularly show for the Gambia where 99% and around 65% of jobs globally meaning their key in livelihood eradicate in poverty creating employment for the most vulnerable and significantly fuelling economic development.
He said: “The GCCI as the voice of businesses in The Gambia never stops their dialogue and advocacy during Covid-19. After 50 years of advocacy centred on supporting the call for action to help small businesses. I am confident that all of you will live this forum much more motivated informed and ready to become the next employers.”
Meanwhile, Abdoulie Touray, Chief Executive Officer of SAHEL Investment Management, also shared some inspirational talks with the start-ups and encouraged them to make an impact that will make people celebrate their legacy. He also urged start-ups to make partners and seek knowledge to get pieces of information.
