Folks,

This is to inform the list that a third commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) has started operations in The Gambia recently. They are AIRTIP (Africa Information Revolution Through Internet Power. According to their advertisements, monthly subscriptions after an initial promotion period of about a forthnight would be D180.00. It could be recalled that since the Banjul Internet Gateway was commissioned at the end of 1997, there have been only two commercial ISPs, namely Gamtel and Qanet. For more information, you may visit their website at www.airtip.gm.

Africell, Gambia's second GSM operator has annouced that it has started roaming with France, Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Malaysia. The release from their head office also says that they have signed roaming agreements with the UK, Ghana, Lebanon, Kenya and Morocco and tests with these countries are in progress.

Last week GRTS announced the introduction of a teletext service. According to the newly appointed DG of GRTS, Mr. Bora Mboge, the service is being introduced to complement their avenues of generating revenue for the corporation. He expects it to be used by businesses to advertise their goods and services.

The president of the UN's General Assembly who's recently concluded a three-day visit to the country has expressed satisfaction with the way UNDP/Gambia government projects are being implemented. In his words, "The UN's very succesful partnership with The Gambia can serve as a model for UN operations in other developing countries". He also affirmed the UN's commitment in helping The Gambia realise its vision 2020 objectives.

In another unrelated development, the Managing Director of Agro Oils (Gambia) Ltd, Mr. N. Chalapathi, has announced that the company's plant has so far this year produced and exported to the UK, 4,700 metric tonnes of vegetable oil. Mr. Chalapathi told reporters last week after meeting President Jammeh that he had discussed with President Jammeh the company's plans to expand their production capacity to meet continued demand from the UK. The Managing Director also said that this year's export of 4,700 metric tonnes of groundnut oil is 1,700 metric tonnes more than that of last year. Expand and create more jobs for Gambians, I say.

To all these companies, we say bravo and keep up the good job.

Have a good day, Gassa.