Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/365 |
G-II§28 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
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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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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-Summary§23 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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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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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-II§11 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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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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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-II§32 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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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 While the repealed legislation focused on foreign direct investment, the new Act expands the scope to cover investment by, and incentives for, local businesses (SMEs).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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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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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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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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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-III§43 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition |
Chemicals |
Relevant information
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(...) Goods subject to import prohibition include (...) any organic phosphorous compound, and asbestos in all forms. (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-III§45 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition |
Chemicals |
Relevant information
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The Gambia is a signatory of the Rotterdam Convention and the Stockholm Convention, under which imports are prohibited for DNOC, parathion, dustable powders of benomyl, thiram and carbofuram, ethylene dichloride and oxide, and monocrotophos and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed in Annex A. [30]
[30] Annex A comprises Aldrin, Chlordane, Chlordecone, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Hexabromobiphenyl, Hexachlorodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphanyl ether, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane, Beta hexachlorocyclohexane, Lindane, Mirex, Pentachlorobenzene, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether, and Toxaphene. See Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants online information, "What are POPs?". Viewed at: http://chm.pops.int/Convention/ThePOPs/tabid/673/language/fr CH/Default.aspx.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/365 |
S-III§46 |
The Gambia |
2017 |
Measures |
Import licences |
Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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Importation of some prohibited products may be permitted if certain conditions are met. Such products are listed as "restricted imports" in Part B of the Eighth Schedule of the Customs and Excise Act, 2010. According to the authorities, import restrictions may be implemented for reasons of public safety, environment, and revenue management. Import restrictions cover products of, inter alia, tear gas (and other similar substances), potable spirits, denatured spirits, postal franking machines, game animal traps, used motor vehicles, and live fish (except "live fish indigenous to The Gambia"). Most products subject to import restriction require an import permit granted by the relevant line ministry prior to importation.
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