By: Binta Jaiteh
The National Assembly Select Committee of Trade and Regional Integration has urged the government, through the Ministry of Trade, to proactively protect infant industries by creating an enabling market for them that will reduce the importation of products that can be locally produced.
Banjul North legislator Modou Lamin Bah, who led the committee on a six-day tour of local producers across the country to assess their employment levels, production capacities, target markets, and challenges, noted in his address during the presentation of their findings to the National Assembly on Thursday that local producers are employing a significant number of Gambians at varying levels. He, however, pointed out that their current production capacity only meets local demand, leaving many untapped opportunities for scaling up operations.
Bah insisted that the objective of the tour is to promote the consumption of locally-produced goods and facilitate networking opportunities among local producers, consumers, and the business community.
He emphasized the importance of supporting local economies, identifying challenges for improved productivity growth, especially in the use and accessibility of existing products and labor resources.
He went on to underscore the roles played by local producers in the economy and community, providing essential goods and services while creating employment opportunities for many Gambians.
The committee made key observations during the tour, noting that many producers are employing a significant workforce and contributing to local economies. However, there are disparities in employment opportunities based on the size and operational capacity of the producers.
Bah explained that it is impressive to see the innovation and dedication in production processes, with many producers wanting to scale up operations. However, this potential is often hindered by limited access to resources, technology, and financial support. Producers are actively seeking to expand their target markets both locally and beyond, facing challenges in market visibility and distribution channels that limit their growth potential. Therefore, the Committee calls on the National Assembly, the Government, and all other relevant stakeholders to advocate for policies that address the challenges of local producers, such as strengthening production capacity, food security, access to markets, and ensuring sustainable employment.
Hon. Bah reiterated that access to foreign currency for the replenishment of raw materials is a challenge for most local producers. Sometimes vessels carrying raw materials for the company spend as much as 10-15 days at sea before berthing, incurring daily charges that reflect on the price of flour (a basic commodity). In the absence of tax incentives from the government, producers continue to face stiff competition with importers of flour.
As a way forward, the committee called on the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture to engage the Ministry of Energy to ensure that NAWEC comes up with special tariffs that support agricultural production. Bah recommended that MOTIE and GIEPA take the challenges seriously to encourage efficient development of local production through the value chain, enabling supply to domestic, regional, and other markets.
