By Bakary Touray Jr,
The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in short GCCI, in partnership International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zussammenarbeit (GIZ), are resolved to enhance the potentials of the county’s young entrepreneurs.
This determination was echoed at the closing ceremony of the five days entrepreneurship training for the young business men and women in the business limelight of the Gambia.
Madam Julie of the International Labour Organization, thanked the GCCI for the initiative, saying it resonates well with the mandates of ILO.
She told the gathering that the primary goal of the ILO is to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in condition of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
The official added that the ILO aims to set and promote standards and fundamental principles and rights at work, enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all and strengthen tripartism and social dialogue.
To reach that, she pointed out, the ILO needs, alongside governments and workers’ organizations, “that the meeting will form the basis for a platform for action, to advance towards a better future for work”.
Fabio Germano of GIZ, speaking at the closure of the training, challenged the trainees to judiciously utilize the expertise gained from the training, as it would undoubtedly boost their business undertakings.
Raimund Moser, Representative of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in The Gambia cum Project Manager, Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), congratulated the participating young entrepreneurs for their dedication and commitment during the course of the five days training.
He’s positive that this would impact greatly on their business endeavors, and he therefore, urged them to take advantage of the opportunities available at their disposal such as ‘Tekki Fii’ grant scheme, mini-grant scheme among others, so as to become successful entrepreneurs.
Mr. Ebrima Barry, the Second Vice-President of GCCI, saluted the Japanese government for the sponsoring the ILO project entitled, “Employment creation for Youth to Build a Sustainable Peace in The Gambia”
He said that the GCCI organized that workshop with the objective to train 36 prospective entrepreneurs and reassured that the modules learnt would equip the trainees on key dimensions of entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, the young Entrepreneurs declared: “We want to sincerely thank GCCI, ILO and GIZ for the opportunity provided. This will enhance our entrepreneurial expertise and by extension empower our businesses.
We assure them that the knowledge gained will be utilized as it goes to strengthen us in our businesses.”
