By Victor Ofuonye
The Association of Gambian Manufacturers has received another award for its activities aimed at promoting investment and industrial growth in The Gambia. The new accolade was bestowed on the association at the recently concluded 2nd The Gambia – Senegal Economic Trade and Investment Forum that was held at the Sir Dauda Jawara International Conference Center on the 19th and 20th of December 2024.
The award, which was in recognition of the immense contributions of the AGM towards the successful hosting of the second edition of The Gambia – Senegal Economic Trade and Investment Forum, was presented to His Excellency, Farimang Saho (President of the AGM and Honorary Consul of Hungary to The Gambia) by The Gambia High Commission in Dakar, Senegal and The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency(GIEPA) as well as the Agency National Pour la Promotions des et des Grand Travaux (APIX) of Senegal.
Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview over the weekend, the AGM prexy noted that the award is indeed a welcomed one, as it has rewarded the selfless sacrifices, hard work, and dedication of not only the AGM members but of its entire executive. Also adding that the AGM was founded over 3 decades ago through the efforts of Alh. Sankung Sillah & Sons and Mourthara Holdings to act as the voice of Gambian manufacturers that will help to create the enabling environment for manufacturing to thrive in the country.
“The association was moribund due to the global financial crisis and unfavorable government policies that led most members to focus more on their businesses than the association. However, with help from the UNDP, and the EU, members held their annual general meetings in March 2024, leading to the election of a new executive committee and prepared a 5-year strategic plan and updated its by-laws and governance structures,” he stated.
The new executive Saho says went to work with vigor and the results are seen in members for the time getting;
· Duty Free on Imported Raw Materials
· Membership of the National Business Council
· Membership of the Employment and Technical Committee
· Membership of the Common External Tariffs
· Membership of the Pan African Manufacturers Association
· Seat at the AfTCA Committee
We have also signed important Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with important partners such as the Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises in the Oriental parts of Morocco, the Union of Commerce and Industry of Senegal, and the TVET development program with Chinese Universities, which is aimed at knowledge transfer and training for Gambian women and youths.
“These and many more are what led to our being recognized by The Gambia High Commission in Dakar, Senegal, and The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) as well as the Agency National Pour la Promotions des et des Grand Travaux (APIX) of Senegal for our invaluable contributions in helping propel trade relations as well as the economies of both The Gambia and Senegal,” enthused Saho.
“We have been invited to the Kaolack Business Forum and Trade Fair that is slated for the 23rd of January 2025 by no other person than Sering Mboob, the Mayor of Kaolack, to dilate further on how to strengthen our collective aims and objectives. All we want is the continued support of the government and considerations of international development partners, so that we can all move the country forward” Farimang concluded.
It must be noted that the Association of Gambian Manufacturers has been very instrumental in ensuring that the Gambia National Development Plans are realized. Members of the association contributed their fair share as one of the highest taxpayers in 2024, thus helping The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in not only achieving but also exceeding the 19.2 billion 2024 target.