By Kemo Kanyi
Borri Darboe, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Bell Bottling Company has called on the government of The Gambia to put up measures that would protect infant local production companies for sustainability.
Bell Bottling Company is a beverage producing company that specializes in beverage production in Bonto village, Kombo East District.
“Our objective is to provide quality and affordable products. The company is poised to provide Gambian people with all they need in beverages. So if you look at the capacity, we can provide because our daily production is 300 Hector liters, if you convert that, it will give you between 8,000 to 10,000 cartons/crates. We are working on the expansion of our production capacity, so if that is done, we will be able to provide any quantity that’s needed,” Mr Darboe told The Voice in an exclusive interview.
Regarding employment creation, the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer stated that they are targeting 300 job opportunities for the Gambian youth. “As of now, we have employed 95 young Gambians, and this is because we are not fully operational yet. We are still in the first phase. The second and third phases will soon be operational, and this will increase our employment creation capacity.”
When asked about the challenges the company is facing in terms of marketing its products, Mr. Darboe mentioned that the influx of similar products from other countries, some of which wouldn’t follow the right channels at the entrance, is disruptive to the competitive market.
“Some beverage products that are coming into the country are not following the right channels at the entrance or are not of good quality, this is why some imported products would sell their products below our stage prices. I am urging GRA and other stakeholders responsible for looking into such issues to be steadfast,” Darboe remarked.
He accused some of those importing companies are making the Gambian market a dumping ground for their products. “They are not creating any employment opportunities for the citizens but instead are just floating their products in the market anyhow they feel,” he divulged.
“So I would urge the government to protect the local industries because they are here to produce good quality and affordable products and also create employment benefits for the economy. I believe this complements the efforts of the government about employment creation for the youth and growing the economy of the nation,” Darboe stressed.
Bell Bottling Company produces seven product varieties. These are Konda Energy Drink, Soda Water, Bonito, Slice Orange Juice, Fruit Cocktail, Citra Lemon, and Bon Cola all produced in the factory’s production base in Bonto village.
Mr. Darboe affirmed that all these are available at a retail price of D30 each, except the energy drink which has a retail price of D40. He added that the carton for beverages other than the energy drink is available in the market for D500, while the energy is available for D700, and advised that nobody should go above these prices.
The following are prices of Made in The Gambia published by AGM
Factory price
1.5 liters packet 6 = 110
500 ml packet * 12 = 125
Bon cola products * 24 = 450
