Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/365 |
G-II§25 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Forestry |
Relevant information
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The Forest Policy (2010–19) was formulated with the objective of establishing an institutional framework for the Department of Forestry (DoF) and non-governmental stakeholders to manage and implement natural resources programmes within the country's forests, woodlands and savannas. An important component of The Gambia's existing Forest policies is the promotion of decentralized natural resource management (including inter alia community forests, forest reserves and conservation areas) to community-based committees. The Gambia has recognized the importance of the potential contributions that could be made by community-based management committees towards the country's objectives of sustainable management of the environment and natural resources. The principle of community-based management as a cost-effective approach to support sustainable management of natural resources is widely recognized in The Gambia.
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Keywords
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Forest
Natural resources
Conservation
Environment
Sustainable
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/365 |
G-II§26 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Measures |
Other environmental requirements |
Forestry |
Relevant information
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In the area of protection, development and sustainable use of forest resources, the Government has consolidated its achievement in community forestry programme by handing over 78 community forests to local management committees, covering a total area of 5,335 hectares in 2015. This brought the total area of forest under community ownership and management to 37,000 hectares. This figure is expected to increase as there are over 450 communities nation-wide participating in community forest that are yet to be handed over to the communities. Additionally, under the Green Climate Fund, the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management together with the Department of Forestry is currently implementing programs aimed at improving the Protected Area Network and enhanced community livelihood through sustainable land management.
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Keywords
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Forest
Sustainable
Climate
Wildlife
Green
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/365 |
G-II§27 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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(...) The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in collaboration with their development partners, continues to implement strategic policies geared towards expansion of electricity generation, transmission and distribution in the country. Steps into renewable energies, reliable medium voltage networks, electrification of rural areas, interconnection initiatives with neighboring countries and adequate expansion of the water services are in progress. (...)
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Keywords
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/365 |
G-II§28 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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The Gambia relies almost entirely on biomass (wood fuels) and imported petroleum products to meet its energy requirements. However, in the face of rapid depletion of forest reserves due to rapid urbanization, bush fires, farming, etc. the energy options based on biomass are very limited. Furthermore, due to high cost of imported petroleum products, the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) is finding it extremely difficult to service the growing oil import bills particularly for electricity generation. In addition, NAWEC needs to meet the demand of up to 350,000 customers, but due to the limitations highlighted, the company only serves 120,000 electricity customers.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-Summary§23 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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(…) Yet, the country is a net food importer by a wide margin, being vulnerable to drought and other natural disasters. (…)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-II§11 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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The Gambia is a member of the LDC and ACP groups, the African Group, the G-90, and the "W52" sponsors. [11] (...)
[11] The "W52" sponsors support a proposal for modalities in the negotiations on geographical indications (establishing a multilateral register for wines and spirits, and extending the higher level of protection beyond wines and spirits), and for patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in their inventions. Viewed at: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/negotiating_groups_e.htm.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-II§32 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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A new GIEPA Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act, 2015 was enacted, following the repeal of the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Act, 2010. While the repealed legislation focused on foreign direct investment, the new Act expands the scope to cover investment by, and incentives for, local businesses (SMEs). The main features of the investment framework include the following:
a. Restrictions on foreign investment – The Gambia is open to foreign and domestic investment in any "field of lawful economic activity" (Article 28) either through joint ventures, without any limits on foreign participation, or full ownership by Gambian or foreign citizens (Article 31). The only exclusions are activities prejudicial to national security, detrimental to the natural environment, public health or public morality, or that contravene the laws of The Gambia (Article 29). (...)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-Table-III.5 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Measures |
Internal taxes |
Not specified |
Relevant information
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Table 3.5 Selected indirect tax revenues, by source, 2011-16
(Dalasi million)
Source 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016a
(...)
Environmental tax Domestic 0.28 0.11 0.10 0.12 0.15 0.41
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-III§40 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Measures |
Internal taxes |
Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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For onions, potatoes, and cement, excise taxes were eliminated in 2017. The excise tax (and the environmental tax) on cigarettes and tobacco have been raised due to public health concerns as well as in fulfilment of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FTCT) commitments. The excise tax for cigarettes in 2017 is D20/pack (up from D5/pack in 2013); for tobacco, it is D330/kg in 2017 (up from D37.5/kg in 2013).
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-III§41 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Measures |
Internal taxes |
Not specified |
Relevant information
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The Gambia levies a number of "other duties and charges" (ODCs) at the border; ODCs are bound at 10% in its schedule of concessions :
a. ECOWAS Community levy (Section 2.3.2.1).
b. African Union levy – The new tax took effect on 1 January 2017 and is levied at 0.2% on the c.i.f. value of imports from non-African origins.
c. Environmental tax on imports.
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Keywords
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