The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) last Friday launched a new initiative dubbed the Business Development Service Network (BDSN) at the Sheraton Resort and Spa in Brufut.

The initiative being launched by GIEPA that is responsible for the development and promotion of business and investment related issues in the country is part of activities marking the global entrepreneurship week.

The initiative - Business Development Service Network is a kind of service that seeks to improve the performance of the enterprise ranging from access to market and the ability to compete. Its aim is to improve training, business solutions, development and advisory services for micro, small and medium enterprise under the guidance and direction of GIEPA.

Officially launching the programme, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Integration and Employment, Naffie Barry, said the new initiative would go a long way in shaping the direction of country's investment in the future. She then eulogized the American Chamber of Commerce for the bold step taken in promoting entrepreneurship in the country.

The chairperson of BDSN, Fatou Saine-Gaye, for her part, said the brand is meant for an array of business services in the country, noting that it is designed to service individual businesses. "These are very important means of supporting the development of micro, small and medium size enterprises (MSMES), which are known to create employment, generate income and growth. Employment and income generation are particularly important as [far as] impoverished rural areas, vulnerable communities and groups are concerned," she underscored.

"Supporting BDNS," she added, "would be an important means of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by addressing poverty and empowering the poor and vulnerable groups."

Saine-Njie went on to explained that it is through this initiative that the government tasked GIEPA to provide support to micro, small and medium size enterprises through the BDSN.