A 4.5 Million Dollar Tomatoe Processing Plant is to begin operations In The Gambia in a matter of months, says the Proprietor of Gatch Global Abubakar Jawara who also doubles as The Gambia's Honorary Consul in Mainland China. Jawara was at the State House on Wednesday afternoon to brief His Excellency the President Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh on the proposed venture and to seek President Jammeh's approval for a land to house the structure.

The firm may also go into processing a range of products once established, which its proprietor - Abubacarr Jawara, expects in the next coming months. Jawara was led to State House by Chief Aji Hulleh Camara of Jimara who expounded on the inspiration drawn from The Gambian leader in setting up the 4.5 million Dollar project.

Gatch Global has the capacity to process 120 tonnes of tomatoe into paste and juice on a daily basis and will directly staff 120 people and more than 500 on casual basis.

Jawara forwarded a request of a one hectare land area in the urban centre - noting it is the remaining portion to the start of production. He also said, Gatch will provide seeds to farmers in a bid to boost production in tomatoe cultivation to ensure sustainability and quality.The whole initiative according to Jawara is as a result of the inspiration and guidance of President Jammeh. To put it into context, "Gatch Global will adopt a nationalistic approach, being 100% Gambian owned and managed", and will attract professional and competent workforce.

The Gambian leader has in response approved the allocation of a two hectare plot of land for to the investor and harped on its tenability to the industrial revolution - a scheme effective in cutting down the unemployment rate and reduce The Gambia's dependency on imported tomatoe paste.

President Jammeh recalled efforts to establish such firm in The Gambia, which he said ended in failure for some reasons. The firm he said will not only flood The Gambian market but the sub-region as well.

President Jammeh spoke highly of the profitability of the venture and issued directives for the company to benefit from the various incentives government offers to such businesses.

It, however, remain a concern to government that few Gambians think of exploring the available market in the country, but instead spend their assets in areas that will eventually render them bankrupt - making life miserable for them both at home and abroad.