Proceeds from this year’s Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Annual Business Awards Dinner will be mainly dedicated to Gambian farmers. This was disclosed by Almami Fanding Taal, the chief executive officer of GCCI, at a press briefing convened Tuesday by the Chamber at its new Kerr Jula office at Bertil Harding Highway.

He said a greater part of this year’s annual dinner award proceeds slated for June 1st, 2012 at the Coco Ocean & Spa will be given to Gambian farmers in support of this year’s crop failure.

Taal stressed that farmers are the pillars of any country because they contribute to the economy. “The annual business awards is a form of recognising and rewarding excellence, creating room for competition and providing an avenue for the business community to interact together,” he said, adding that it also draws public attention to the role of the private sector and realises the innovativeness and spirit of entrepreneurship in the private sector.

The GCCI CEO further disclosed that among the new categories of the award added this year are the hotel, restaurant, tourism, and insurance companies. He added that the dinner is meant to recognise the efforts and gains made by the business community in the country, in contributing towards the socio-economic development of the nation as well as to complement government’s efforts in this year’s crop failure. He also said that there are criteria set for the award and called on GCCI members to give solidarity to the farmers at this crucial moment.

Others speakers at the press briefing included Sarata Conateh, the business development manager of GCCI, who said that farmers are part of the private sector, and need all the necessary support from all and sundry in which the chamber is not an exception. Pansaw Nyassi, GCCI business development officer and Beatrice Prom, GCCI manager of Corporate Services also spoke at the occasion.