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Muslimtrade Network members
about Gambia.
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G A M B I A
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1 GENERAL PRESENTATION
1.1 General characteristics
| Official name |
Republic of Gambia |
| Surface |
11,295 Sq. Km |
| Population |
1.160.000 inhabitants (1996) |
| Density |
103 inhabitants per square kilometer |
| Capital |
Banjul |
| Climate |
The dry season lasts from November to May when humidity is moderate. Storms and rain
full are produced between July and October with increased humidity. Average temperature of Banjul, the capital,
is 22°C in January and 27°C in July. |
| Main holidays |
January 1st, February 18, May 1st,August 15, December 25, Eid Al-Fitr*,
Eid Al-Adha*, Islamic new year* and Ashoura*, and Eid Al Mawlid*. |
| Weekly day off |
Saturday and Sunday |
* Variable dates
1.2 General Information
| Language |
English is the official language. French, Mandinka, fula and wolof are also spoken |
| Currency |
The unit of currency is the Dalasi: US$ 1= 9.78 dalasi (1996) |
| Local time |
GMT |
| Working hours |
Banking hours: From 7h to 11h 30 and 15h to 16h30 Monday through Friday |
1.3 Legal Framework of Trade Relations
Gambia is member of the following international organizations:
| Organization of the Islamic Conference (O.I.C) ; |
| United Nations Organization (U.N) ; |
| Organization of the African Unity (O.A.U) ; |
| The commonwealth ; |
| Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ; |
| The Non-aligned conference ; |
| The Gambia River Basin Development Organization (O.M.V.G). |
| Gambia is also member of the Lome convention linking European Union members with African,
Caribbean and Pacific developing countries, and has a trade agreement with Senegal. |
2 TRADE STRUCTURE (1996)
2.1 Main imported and exported products
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Main imported products
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Main exported products
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| Foodstuffs |
Peanuts and peanuts products |
| Manufactured products |
Cotton lint |
| Raw materials |
Fish |
| Fuel |
Palm Kernels |
| Machinery |
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| Transport equipment |
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2.2 Principal trading partners:
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Main Suppliers
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Main Customers
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United Kingdom
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France
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France
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United Kingdom
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Germany
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Ivory coast
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U.S.A
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3 FOREIGN TRADE REGULATIONS:
3.1.Imports regulations:
The import of certain specific goods is prohibited from all sources, predominately
on social, health, security, and moral grounds. All other imports are permitted freely under open general license.
At import operations the following documents are required:
| Commercial invoice: Two copies of the shipper’s ordinary commercial invoice are required. It must contain a specific
description of products and their value in U.S dollar. A commercial invoice normally also shows the names and addresses
of supplier and purchaser, gross and net weights of packages, nature and quality of the goods, price of the goods
and any discounts, commissions or other deductions allowed. |
| Packing list: When miscellaneous items make up the shipment, it’s recommended to expedite clearance of
goods through customs, and the following details should be included: Marks and number of packages, gross and net
weight of each package, and a full description of each package and it’s contents. |
| Bill of lading: A bill of lading customarily states the names of shipper, the name and address of the consignee,
the port of destination, description of goods, the listing of the freight and other charges, the number of bills
of lading in the full set and the date and the signature of the carrier’s official acknowledging receipt on board
of the goods for shipment. |
3.2 Exports regulations:
The exportation of forestry products is subject to prior authorization from the
forestry department. The exportation of all other goods can generally be made without individual licenses if settlement
is made in accordance with procedures laid down by the central bank of Gambia
3.3 Other formalities and documents:
| Plant permits: The director of agriculture must give his permission for all
imports of vegetable seeds defined as all seed-producing plants, especially herbaceous plants, parts or all of
which could be used as food-Packages or containers in which vegetable seeds are imported should be date stamped
by the original suppliers. |
| Labeling and marking: A specific regulations regarding labeling and package
marking do not exist; The net weight must be shown in labeled canned goods and foodstuffs. |
The importation of goods with fraudulent or misleading marks or labels is prohibited
in Gambia.
Any Common shipping practice may be followed in absence of regulations regarding
how shipments must be marked.
| Packing: Goods should be packed securely to withstand rough handling,. Goods
adversely affected by the tropical heat should be packed to withstand the hot and humid climate. |
4 FINANCIAL REGULATIONS OF FOREIGN TRADE OPERATIONS:
4.1 Banking system:
The major banks in Gambia are: Continent bank LTD which is privately owned, Meridian
Bank Gambia LTD, Wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian BIAO S.A. (Luxembourg) and standard chartered bank Gambia
Ltd., which is owned by standard chartered bank Africa PLC in United Kingdom.
4.2 Foreign exchange system:
The exchange control act has been canceled and there are no exchange control. Commercial
banks and foreign exchange bureau can make transactions among themselves freely, with the central bank, or with
customer at exchange rates agreed by the parties to these transactions.
4.3 Methods and means for international settlement:
The payment of imports may be made in local currency or in any convertible currency.
The most used method of payment is the letter of credit.
5 CUSTOMS TAXATION
The customs tariff is based on the customs cooperation council nomenclature.
5.1 Applicable duties and taxes:
18 percent is the average of rates of duty imposed for imports from all countries,
except Senegal.
| Preferential duties: A trade agreement between Gambia and Senegal gives a preferential
entry of Senegali’s goods into Gambia. |
The Lome convention is an agreement of preferential duties concluded between European
Union members and some African, Caribbean and Pacific countries including Gambia.
Gambia is among the 15 countries that formed the Economic Community of west African
states (ECOWAS), in 1991, Intra-community tariffs were removed from 90 items manufactured by ECOWAS states.
| Specific duties: Duties evaluated by weight of the goods are based on the net
weight unless otherwise specified in the tariff. |
| Customs surcharges and indirect taxes: There are no customs surcharges or excise
duties in Gambia. A 10 percent national sales tax is levied on the CIF value of imported goods, imports made by
the government are imported duty-free. |
5.2 Special provisions:
Samples are also imported duty-free if they have no commercial value or if they
have been rendered useless.
6 FOREIGN TRADE LOGISTIC
6.1 International Transports
| Maritime transports: The port of Banjul receives about 300 ships annually, and there are intermittent sailing’s
to and from North Africa, the Mediterranean and the for East; A Loan was accorded to Gambia in support of a project
for the expansion of port facilities at Banjul. |
| Air transports: Facilities at Yundum, The Gambia’s international airport, have
been upgraded by the U.S National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to enable the airport to serve as
an emergency landing site far space shuttles vehicles. |
| Land transports: In 1995, there were 2640 km of roads in the Gambia. 35,3 percent of
this total was paved. The upgrading of the Trans Gambia Highway and the Kombo coastal was planned for the mid 1990s. |
6.2 Telecommunications
There are several post offices, and agencies. Postal facilities are also available
in all river towns. In 1995, telephone lines numbered about 18.000.
7 USEFUL ADDRESSES:
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Organization and Public Establishments
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Address
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Tel
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Fax
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Telex
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| Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, |
The quadrangle - Banjul |
(220)228291 |
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2264 |
| Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment |
Independents Drive Banjul |
(220)228392 |
(220)227756 |
2293 |
| Ministry of External Affairs |
4 Marina Parade – Banjul |
(220)225654 |
(220)228060 |
2351 |
| The Gambia Chambre of Commerce and Industry |
NTC complex Buckle St Banjul |
(220)227765 |
(220)229671 |
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| National Trading Corporation of the Gambia Ltd. |
1-3 Wellington St. P.O. Box 61 – Banjul |
(220)228395 |
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2252 |
| Central Bank of the Gambia |
1-2 Buckle St, Banjul |
(220)228103 |
(220)226969 |
2218 |
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