Internet as a Business Tool: Case Studies in The Gambia

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Internet as a Business ToolCase Studies in
The Gambia
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Topics covered

• Recap of how the Internet can benefit businesses
• Case Studies
• Local based business - TAF Holdings
• International based business - Maersk Line
• Promoting Investment Opportunities
• The Gambia Chamber of Commerce Industry
• Tourism - Senegambia Beach Hotel

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Recap of how the Internet can benefit Businesses?

• Communication
• email, discussion groups, exchange documents
• Research
• Search engines
• Resource sharing

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Recap of how the Internet can benefit Businesses?

• Publishing
• web presence, newsletters, brochures, reports
• Fundraising Marketing
• research funding opportunities, requests for
  proposals, general info
• E-Commerce
• product enquiry's, take orders, sell products

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TAF Holding Company

• Background
• consolidation of TAF operations
• TAF Construction
• TAF Estate Developers
• TAF Building Products
• TAF Tourism Development
• when why TAF launched web site
• improve efficiency of services, easy access to
  information
• need for globalization
• Feb 2000

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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

• How TAF uses the Internet
• Communication
• collaborating with business partners worldwide
  through email
• marketing
• products and services
• building supplies
• self catering apartments
• hotel rooms
• house the nation project

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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

• How TAF uses the Internet
• research
• resource sharing
• overseas product enquirys

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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

• Web site features
• general info
• products services of subsidiaries
• online applications

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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM
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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM
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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

• Feedback
• 170,000 hits so far,
• Average of 6 responses per day
• responses directed towards Taf Estate Development
• numerous commitment for house the nation project

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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

• Cost Analysis
• what it takes
• development
• hosting
• updating
• what you save
• phone/fax calls
• worldwide marketing
• less personnel

D25,000
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WWW.TAFGAMBIA.COM

• Future plans
• e-commerce
• interactive site

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Maersk Gambia Limited

• Background
• profile
• International Shipping agency
• Worlds largest provider of containerized
  transport solutions
• Spans 6 continents with over 325 offices
• head office in Copenhagen, Denmark

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Maersk Gambia Limited

• How Maersk Gambia uses the Internet
• Communication
• connectivity with head office/sister offices
• collaboration with business partners worldwide

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Maersk Gambia Limited
Internet
Maersk Gambia
Security Wall
Maersk Head Ofice
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Maersk Gambia Limited

• Central Data Processing using the Internet
• access to world wide data
• data input from different countries daily
• data retrieved from anywhere in the world

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Maersk Gambia Ltd

• Web Presence
• http//www.maersksealand.dk
• offers business online
• offers information on containers ships
• online enquirys and cargo tracking

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Http//www.maersksealand.dk
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Maersk Gambia Limited

• Cost Analysis
• what it takes
• leased line to nearest POP site
• specialized equipment for routing and securing
  data transfer
• online system - interactive web page

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Maersk Gambia Limited

• what you gain
• easy/fast/reliable data access
• edge over competitors
• cost savings phone/fax calls/ DHL
• worldwide marketing
• reduced personnel
• cost savings on equipment

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Maersk Gambia Limited

• Future Plans
• web site for Maersk Gambia
• currently under construction
• Localized information about Gambia
• track ship movements
• project a good image about Gambia Port
• attract investors to do business in the Gambia

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Promoting Investment Opportunities

• Gambia Chamber of Commerce Industry - GCCI
• provision of essential business services to the
  private sector
• to advise and influence government in creating a
  favorable business environment. It also
• serves as a one stop spot for foreign investors.

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Http//www.gambiachamber.gm

• successfully using the web to attract investors
  to the Gambia
• expanding international trade activities and
  promoting growth
• Web page launched in 1999
• provides information on investment opportunities
  in Gambia
• provides information on its members
• online registration

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Http//www.gambiachamber.gm

• GCCI Web Page
• Features GCCI publications
• The Entrepreneur - newsletter of the GCCI
• The Business Directory 2000
• lists Businesses registered with GCCI according
  to area of Business

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Http//www.gambiachamber.gm
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Promoting Tourism

• What it takes
• pay particular attention of how to present
  information on tours and products
• detailed information about destination, including
  attractions prices
• quality and up-to-date information (constant
  update of info)
• Consider the Internet as an information gathering
  tool

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Promoting Tourism

• What you gain?
• Considerable cost-saving in information
  dissemination
• Significant portion of revenue generated from
  Internet and growing

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Promoting Tourism - Gambia River Excursion

• Example of a tour operator in The Gambia
• Web site http//www.gre.gm features
• general info on The Gambia
• services offered
• info on special packages, lamin Lodge, Pirogue
  Jamond Adventure

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Http//www.gre.gm
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Promoting Tourism - Senegambia Beach Hotel

• Sengambia Beach Hotel Web site has had a
  significant impact on business for the hotel
• Features information on
• rooms suites, bars restaurant, activities
  services, enquiry reservations
• provides virtual tour of the hotel facilities

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Http//www.sengambiahotel.com
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Http//www.sengambiahotel.com

• Feedback
• average of 600 visitors per week
• 15 bookings per week
• What it took
• cost to develop and host site

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Http//www.sengambiahotel.com

• Gains
• value for money
• cost savings in International calls, faxes
• less personnel needed
• significant portion of business through Internet

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Summary

• Overview of benefits to Businesses
• Specific examples
• local based
• International corporation
• promoting Investment opportunities
• Internet is the future for Businesses
• DONT RE-INVENT THE WHEEL
• EMULATE FROM PEERS