By Aji Fatou Jammeh
The Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) in collaboration with International Trade Centre on Wednesday, December 7th inaugurated the Bakoteh Production and Innovation Centre (BPIC), funded by the European Union in The Gambia through Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).
The centre aims to support training, production and commercialisation of textile and hand-woven products. It will also promote innovation, sector-wide collaboration and garment manufacturing while supporting job creation and economic growth.
Lamin Dampha, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, noted that initiative will contribute to the growth of the industry and production sector of the country.
He called the people of Bakoteh and KM at large, the private sector, entrepreneurs and individuals to take ownership of the centre.
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, the Lord Mayor of KM, thanked EU for providing fundings and International Trade Centre through YEP for ensuring that the project came to reality. He urged the community of Bakoteh and the people of KM to enroll in the centre and acquire the relevant skills and to economically empower themselves.
HE Corrado Pampaloni, EU Ambassador to The Gambia said the Bakoteh centre will serve as a hub for The Gambian fashion industry and craft production. He also said it will provide platform for young people and community members to learn, co-create, design and innovate.
Ngoneh Panneh from ITC, informed that the facility is equipped with over thirty industrial machines of various types and uses, a woven production hub with ten handlooms considered to be the latest in weaving technology, a fully functioning joint management board and a robust operational and management team.
