By Binta Jaiteh
Tropic Shopping Center was over the weekend opened for business officially opened and it will enhance good shopping and create employment for Gambians and other residence.
Speaking at the launching of the modern shopping centre, Honorable Hamat Bah, Minister of Tourism and Culture said the centre will help in easing burden saying it’s the first mall of its kind in The Gambia.
“Indeed, you have tried but it could not work you decide to bring the contract so that Gambians can benefit locally for your courageous support. Our tourism sector is very verse and if we want to promote tourists for them to invest in the country such malls should be built,” he said.
Shenna Shams expressed happiness and said everyone has played vital role in the progress of Construct Ltd in the past 30 years.
“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we should take a deeper look as to what our purpose is as a company. Ultimately the purpose of our lives as individuals is to be of service to our fellow human beings,” he said.
He disclosed that the center is not suit for an office rather a shopping mall adding that one of the problems facing regional tourism in The Gambia is that the country is lacking shopping malls.
“I have discussed with him to encourage international businessmen to lease the property so that Gambia will be proud to have few of them,” he continued.
The Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Talib Ahmed Bensouda, said “It is very easy for one to see the giant strives taken by your company over past 3 decades, we have seen the development of several properties that infuse the use of technology and innovation.”
“Furthermore, we manifest this purpose in various ways, as a company founded on the unity of the family. We strive to serve our fellow human beings through investing and developing real estate, creating employment and coming up with creative solutions to meet the increasing demand for modern real estate,” he added.
He further said one of the most recent of these investments is Tropic Shopping Center, saying that “our desire is that it becomes a hub for businesses and individuals to thrive, and for it to be a comfortable space for the public to enjoy.”
He pointed out that so far, the existing businesses in Tropic have elevated the standard of retail in The Gambia, and have set a new precedence and commended them for the role they played in making Tropic a point of attraction.
“When our family moved to The Gambia in 1991, the warmth and hospitality of the people captured our hearts. My parents quickly embraced it as our new home. However, my father Fara Shams started Construct Ltd that same year, with the vision of leaving behind monumental structures and civil engineering projects. He worked hard and diligently throughout the years, and always believed in The Gambia,” he said.
“Even when things were tough, economically and politically, he always wanted to invest. Till today, our company is still driven by that vision. This building right here, was built by a Gambian workforce. To the Construct staff, thank you for your hard work and dedication over all these years. Your efforts have vastly contributed to the building of Construct Ltd. We would also like to thank the Government of The Gambia, especially the Tourism Ministry and the GT Board, for giving businesses an opportunity to invest in projects that add value to the country,” he added.