Indigenous Business Advisory Service (IBAS), one of the most vibrant micro-finance institutions in country, is currently gaining momentum in the business industry despite the fact that that sector is becoming more and more competitive.  

Over the years, it has a record break of reaching 85 (eighty five) women Kafos within Western Region with total membership of 10,000 (ten thousand) members who virtually benefited a loan disbursement of 7M (seven million dalasis), while in the North Bank Region 86 (eighty six) women Kafos have been reached with a total membership of 12,000 (twelve thousand), who also benefited from a loan disbursement of 6.9 million (six million and nine hundred thousand dalasis) from the period of 2005 to date. This was revealed by Manga Sanyang, the IBAS boss,  during an exclusive interview with the Dailty Observer at his office in Bakau.

''As a government institution established since 1975, under the then Ministry of Economic Planning and Industrial Development (MEPID), after the restructuring of MEPID, IBAS, still continue to operate under the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment,'' he indicated.

It was, he added, mainly created to provide support and serve as an impetus to the indigenous small and medium size enterprises.  ''The institution has a nation wide coverage with a strong extension network, targeting its services at indigenous business and enterprises,'' he noted. According to him, in those days there was little competition, adding that currently there are so many micro finance institutions.  He further pointed out that they are still committed to give their basic services such as training, counselling and the provision of micro-finance services.

Among the aims of IBAS is to equip Gambians with perequisite skills and knowledge necessary for their enterprenarial activities. Resolutely decided to help Gambians to exploit all the business opportunities, he went on to say that IBAS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with peri urban Social Development Fund (SDF) in order to venture into more financial activities.  He also outlined some of their services which, he said, consist of providing training to the women Kafos in horticultural ventures and livestock within Western Region and North Bank Region respectively.  He admited that 80% of the beneficiaries are women.

While acknowledging the fact that though challenges are ahead, they are ready to fulfill the mission of public service IBAS tasked itself over these past years. He deplored the difficulties they usually face in loan repayment, adding that due to lack of collaboration within the micro-finance institution some clients are in the habit of  "robbing Peter and paying Paul."

Mr Sanyang, finally used the opportunity to outline some of their constraints which, he said, are mainly related to logistic. The following IBAS staff also contributed during the interview: Demba Bah, deputy manager, Ibas; and Momodou Jallow, senior training officer, IBAS.