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Editorial: The Average Gambian (Must Read)

The average Gambian man is 20 years old, with a life expectancy of 64 years and is ed-ucated at secondary school level. The statis-tics presented by the World Bank Economic indicators show the average Gambian wom-an is one year older (21) and will live to 67. The average Gambian earns $1-$2 (D47.50-D95) per day. Even though, the statutory working age is 18, but because of limited

opportunities for secondary schooling, most children begin work-ing at an average age of 14. The average height in Gambia for males is 1.680 m (5 ft 6 in) and for females is 1.578 m (5 ft 2.2 in). On average men marry much later in life than do women, the average Gambian woman is married before age 20, whereas less than one of every five men are married by age 20. The av-erage Gambian man 29 years old or younger still haven’t mar-ried yet, but a large number finally do marry around 30 years of age, a full decade later than most women. The average Gambian man has 1.6 wives and 8 children,

whereas the average Gambian woman has 6 children. The average Gambian woman tends to weigh an average of 4-6 pounds more after a pregnancy than she did before the preg-nancy which is usually at the age of 30. In terms of daily meals the average Gambian is quite likely to eat rice every day for lunch and some sort of porridge for breakfast and dinner. The average Gambian does not engage in the rec-ommended level of exercise, with the likelihood of men exercis-ing more than women. The Gambia has a sub-tropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year and average temperature highs between 29°C and 34°C, attracting tourists from all over the world.

Inspired by the article:

Britain’s “Mr. and Mrs. Average”

Sources: http://www.smcm.edu/gambia/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2014/11/98-chapter7.pdf GBOS World Bank Indicators Central International Agency http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/Gambia/Health http:/ /www.encyclopedia.com/places/africa/gambian -poli t ical -geography/gambia#POPULATION (Republic of the Gambia Population Data Bank 1993).

Training Workshop on Consumer Protection Issues in the Financial and ICT Sector

The Gambia Competition and Consumer Pro-tection Commis-sion (GCCPC) organized a training work-shop on ‘Consumer Protection is-sues in the Financial and ICT Sector’ on Wednesday 16th August,

2017 at the National Assembly Conference Hall in Banjul.

The training was conducted by Professor Prentiss Cox an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School. Profes-sor Prentiss Cox writes and teaches in the area of consumer protec-

tion law, public civil law enforcement and legal practice skills.

According to Professor Cox, the main goals of consumer protection are transparency in market transactions to ensure a level playing field and fair treatment of all customers. Furthermore, The Gambia Con-sumer Protection Act, 2014 enjoins that service providers should en-sure consumers are treated fairly in all facets of product design, sales and marketing, service, conduct, claims handling, complaints and re-

mediation.

Participants of the training workshop were drawn from both the public and private sec-

tors.

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Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (BUCAHA) Board Meeting

The Business Coalition A g a i n s t H I V / A I D S (BUCAHA) held a Board Meeting at the GCCI Sec-retariat in Bijilo. The pur-pose of the meeting was to discuss re-activation activities of the Coalition including review of the Constitution, Appointment of a new Secretary General , preparation of work plan , among others. The Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS consists of private sector member in the drive to join the fight against HIV/AIDs which includes voluntary counselling and testing for private sector employees. HIV/AIDS affects the most productive segment of the labour force and the epidemic imposes huge costs on businesses in all sectors through declining productivity, increase labour costs as well as loss of skills and experience. The BUCAHA call on the private sector businesses to join its campaign against HIV/AIDS.

Tour of GCCI and GTTI Incubation Centers

Representatives from The Min-istry of Trade, Regional Inte-gration and Employment, The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency and The Gambia Chamber of Com-merce, Industry, Agriculture and Employers Association conducted a tour to the GCCI and the GTTI incubation centers. Both incubation centers houses processing machines which were supported by the Government of India through MOTIE. The GCCI has also made significant investments in the initial

operations of incubation center housed at the Trade Fair Grounds.

The processing machines housed at GCCI incubation include; pepper processing, biscuits and bread making machines, tomato ketchup and mango processing machines, ice cream cone making machines, can-dy making and pop-corn machines. The GTTI machines include; nail making machines, plastic bowls, spoons and bottle making ma-chines, bag wires making ma-chines, carpentry works, Air condi-tioners making. Currently the first batch of interns particularly youths are receiving training on the oper-ation of these machines including the recipes needed for producing all

items.

Launching of the First Edition of Leading Women

Magazine - The Gambia

The GCCI, in partnership with Bridging Gaps

Advisory, has introduced an exciting publica-

tion on Leading Women in The Gambia. In the

Gambia, Women Entrepreneurs, Executives

and Civil Society leaders are contributing great-

ly to the country’s economy by actively partici-

pating in various sectors. However, very little

has been documented on the very crucial and

encouraging work that women entrepreneurs

and executives are doing in the country.

The maiden Leading Women

magazine was launched on Thurs-

day 10th August, 2017 at the Par-

adise Suites Hotel. As such, the

publication has been

developed into rich and

diverse stories depicting

successes and journeys

of extraordinary women

through profiles and inter-

views.

This we believe, will serve

as a source of inspiration

to other aspiring women and the youth to excel further.

The magazine further

educates on the incredi-

ble participation of

these women in our

country’s development

and our society’s

growth trajectory.

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Verdant Zeal Gambia Ltd CEO, Seun Sanni and Fi-

nance Executive, Khadija Ceesay meet GCCI CEO,

Alieu Secka on a preliminary collaboration with

GCCI in communications, brand management and

advertising in The Gambia.

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation -

ITFC Associate Relationship Manager of the the

Official Islamic Development Bank (ADB) Regional

Office in Dakar, Aliou Barki Kane on ITFC mission

to The Gambia at Kerr Jula to discuss ITFC opera-

tions and to identify new opportunities for cooper-

ation with Private Sector entities

Gambia National Agricultural Investment Plan (GNAIP) Private Sector Thematic

Review Meeting at Kerr Jula

Elixir Global Group CellPay Launching: E-Commerce Platform for Bill Payment,

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Upcoming Events

New Members for the Month of August Company Business Activity Owner/Manager

Anazogini Enterprise Mr. Jude Nkemdilim Chika General Goods

Bernadette Business Center Mr. Bernadette Gomez General Merchandise

Ddijas Enterprise Ms. Haddijatou M Jagne Processing of Local Foods, Marinades, Pack-

age Fresh Frozen Etc.

E. Jallow Enterprise Mr. Ebrima A. Jallow Household Goods & General Trading

Finish Profile Gambia Ltd Sir. Farimang Saho Prefab Stud Profiles, Roofing Materials

Jesse Enterprises Mr. Christian Chukwuneke Aku-

jieze E- Waste

Joofen Food Processing Enterprise Ms. Olly Joof Food Processing and General Goods

M. K. F. Trading Mr. Mohammed Kebbeh General Trading Import & Export

Mamudou Bah T/A Tedoungal Mr. Mamudou Bah Food Products, Import/Export General Mer-

chandise

Ndye's Exotic Food Products Ms. Ndey Corr Sarr Food Processing

Pulse One Property Management Mr. Mammbye Anthony Bittaye Real Estate & Property Management

S3 General Trading Mr. Susheel Chander Raw Cashew Nuts

Tanta Trading Ms. Adama Barrow Fashion & Cosmetics

The Bloom Group Ms. Naceesay Marenah Authentic Montessori, Education & Organic

Farm

Country Date Event

Istanbul, Turkey 20th - 23rd Sept Food Fair Istanbul 2017

Istanbul , Turkey 21st - 24th Sept 2017

Zuchex International Housewares and Elec-

trical Appliances Fair

Antalya, Turkey 29th - 30th Sept 2017

International Pharmaceutical Products

Conference

Istanbul, Turkey 5th - 7th Oct 2017 Aluexpo 2017– International Aluminum Fair

Jakarta, Indonesia 11th– 15th October 2017

32nd Edition: Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI)

2017

New Delhi, India 3rd– 5th Nov 2017 World Food India 2017

Casablanca, Morocco Dec 2017 5th MAFAX-MAGHRED Food Exhibition