OFFICIAL LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF GAMBIA WOMEN'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) on Thursday 27th June 2019, held its official launching and the 1st Annual Women in Business Forum at Paradise Suites hotel, with the theme: “Unleashing the Economic potentials of Women Owned Businesses.” In her official opening remarks, the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, Dr. Isatou Touray, said GWCC is a non profit, non-political member driven organization that facilitates business development and trade for Gambian women; that the GWCC focuses on strategic assistance for women in their businesses with a vision to providing them with opportunities and visibility. She said that the objectives of GWCC aligns well with the Government’s development agenda and this is manifested in the work of the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare. Mrs Naffie Barry, the President of GWCC said since the establishment of the Chamber, it has been an active and constructive group, and has created networking and advocacy opportunities for its members and in providing excellent role models for women in business. The EU Ambassador to the Gambia H.E. Attila Lajos, said European Union is pleased to support the newly formed non-profit, non-political member driven organization which seeks to facilitate business development and trade for Gambian women. He further stated thatthe new Chamber’s vision is in line with the EU’s commitment to gender equality and in providing opportunities and visibility for women businesses; that the new Chamber aims to educate, empower, mentor and promote women owned businesses as well as foster meaningful business relationships amongst them. To kick off the program, a D50 million loan package has been set up by Reliance Financial Services to support women’s organizations to empower their members. According to CEO Mrs Mboge, the D50 million support from Reliance Financial Services was just a starter, promising that more financial institutions would chip in. She also emphasized that, women businesses need an organization that will take into consideration their needs, adding that GWCC will serve as a referral point to connect its members with potential helpers in making women businesses grow. The event was attended by many dignitaries and men and women from diverse sectors.