By Mariam Williams
The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) on Tuesday launched the second edition of the National Youth Agribusiness and Tourism Trade Fair at the Stadium in Bakau.
Baboucarr Kebbeh, chief executive officer of Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC), said 80% of the participants at the Youth Agribusiness and Tourism Expo are women.
The trade fair is supported by Youth Empowernment Project (YEP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), International Trade Centre (ITC), The Gambia Investment & Export Promotion Agency (GiEPA), IMVF and ASSERT among others.
Mr Kebbeh said GYCC has launched regional chapters in every region of The Gambia and by 2022, the organisation would explore other parts of Africa. GYCC has created market space through trade fairs, exhibitions, entrepreneurship training, business coaching programs and life skills to support youth in business.
Fatou Sinyan Mergan, vice president of Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce, said commended GYCC for recognizing the crucial role women play in trade fairs by establishing “Women’s Pavilion” as part of the exhibition.
Mrs Mergan noted that this has opened up a platform for the participation of women and youth.
Ismaila Sambou, board president of GYCC, said the objective of the trade fair is to increase networking, income and exposure of businesses, particularly youth-led businesses.
The trade fair creates potential space for partnership and business linkages for the young entrepreneurs, he said.
Fabio Germano, team leader of German Development Agency (GIZ) EU-funded Tekki Fii Project, said the trade fair has already set high standards and a strong sense of hope for all youths who are determined to make the best for their talents and potentials.
Moshibudi Rampedi, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Representative, said the higher proportion of the population of Sub-Sahara Africa counties, including The Gambia, is less than 25 years of age.
“Approximately 20 million Africans expected to join the labour market every year of which majority is youth,” he said.
