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1. GENERAL PRESENTATION : *   1.1. General characteristics : * 1.2. General information : * 1.3. The legal framework of trade relationships : *

2. TRADE STRUCTURE : *   2.1. Main exported products : * 2.2. Main imported products : * 2.3. Trading partners : *

3. FOREIGN TRADE CONTROL : *   3.1. Imports regulations : * 3.2. Exports regulations : * 3.3. Other formalities and documents : *

4. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS OF FOREIGN TRADE OPERATIONS : *   4.1. Banking system : * 4.2. Exchange system : * 4.3. Methods and means for international settlement : *

5. CUSTOMS TAXATION : *   5.1. Applicable duties and taxes : * 5.2. Special provisions : *

6. FOREIGN TRADE LOGISTIC : *   6.1. International Transports : * 6.2. Telecommunications : * 6.3. Distribution System : *

7. USEFUL ADDRESSES : *

1. GENERAL PRESENTATION : 

1.1. General characteristics : 

Official name:	Republic of Senegal
Area:	196,000 Km²
Population:	8.3 million in 1995
Density:	42.3 inhabitants per Km²
Capital:	Dakar
Climate:	Senegal is under the influence of tropical climate with two main seasons - a dry season which lasts from November to June and a rainy season which in principle lasts from June to October-. Temperatures are variable from a region to another, globally they range between 17°C and 38°C..
Main holidays:	January 1st, Easter Monday, April 4th, May 1st, Ascension, Whit Monday, Mouloud, November 1st , December 25th, August 15th (Assumption), Komité, Tabaski, Tamorite.

1.2. General information : 

Language:	French.
Currency:	CFA Franc
Local time:	GMT.
Working hours:	from 8.00 to 17.00 p.m.

1.3. The legal framework of trade relationships : 

Senegal is member of the following international and regional organizations :

* The World Trade Organization (W.T.O) ;

* The United Nations Organization (UN) and its main specialized institutions (World Bank, IMF, etc…) ;

* The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) ;

* The Organization of African Unity (OAU) ;

* The Organization for Senegal river's Development (OMVS) ;

* Lome Convention between ACP countries and the European Union ;

* Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) ;

* The Organization for river development (OMVE) Gambia.

Senegal has also concluded economic and commercial co-operation agreements with several African, Asian, American and European countries...

2. TRADE STRUCTURE : 

2.1. Main exported products : 

Groundnuts ;

Phosphates ;

Chemicals ;

Fish and products thereof ;

Cotton threads and fabrics ;

Fresh vegetables and fruit ;

Handicrafts.

2.2. Main imported products : 

Rice ;

Oil products ;

Capital goods ;

Intermediate goods for local industry ;

2.3. Trading partners :

France in particular, and the European Union in general remains the main trading partner of Senegal both at import and Export levels.

3. FOREIGN TRADE CONTROL : 

After its adhesion to the GATT, Senegal adopted free trade policy by introducing more flexible foreign trade regulations. 

3.1. Imports regulations : 

Any goods imports whose FOB value is higher than 500,000 CF Francs must be subjected to a prior import declaration once the latter is duly filled by the importer it must be transmitted to a bank coupled with a Performa invoice in order to be recorded ; 

When the FOB value of an order is higher than 1,500,000 CFA Francs, imported goods are also submitted to compulsory control programme managed by "la Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS)" Control General Company. In this event, the importer's bank must send a copy of the prior import declaration to the SAS Dakar connection Bureau. The latter must convey this inspection order to SAS Branch located in the exporting country ; 

On the arrival of goods to Senegal, the importer must contact the Dakar SAS Connection Bureau to withdraw the SAS certificate which is compulsory for goods clearance. 

3.2. Exports regulations : 

To encourage exports, formalities and procedures in this field have been extremely simplified ; 

Temporary re-exports regime allows duty-free Export of a good in order to be processed or repaired abroad and re-imported subsequently. 

3.3. Other formalities and documents : 

For some cotton and polyester fabrics locally manufactured or imported and intended for consumption in Senegal, the mention "for sale in Senegal" must be readable.

4. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS OF FOREIGN TRADE OPERATIONS : 

4.1. Banking system : 

Senegal is member of the west African Economic and Monetary Union, on these grounds, it is not provided with its own Central Bank (BCEAO) which ensures this function. 

As concerns the other banks, Senegal is provided with nine main Banks which play a dominant role in foreign trade operations. 

4.2. Exchange system : 

As we have already pointed out Senegal belong to the Franc zone ; Fund transfers between the countries of this zone are not subjected to any restrictions provided that they are carried out by authorized middlemen. 

Senegal is also IMF Member : it applies free convertibility with regard to current operations ; as concerns the other operations, foreign currency Export is regulated. 

4.3. Methods and means for international settlement : 

Irrevocable and confirmed documentary credit, Bank check or certified check and backed bills constitute the methods of payment currently used by Senegalese foreign trade operators in their business relations with foreign importers and exporters. Bill of exchange and bank check are sometimes accepted, especially in the event of trustful business relations between trading partners.

5. CUSTOMS TAXATION : 

Within the framework of the policy of economic opening to international markets and of its commitments towards the WTO, Senegal has reduced some of its tariff barriers. 

5.1. Applicable duties and taxes : 

On the whole, import applicable duties and taxes are as follows : 

Normal customs duty : 10%

Customs and excise dues :    * Special : 50% ;  * Raised : 30% ;  * Ordinary : 20% ;  * Reduced : 10%.

Value added tax (VAT) :    * Normal rate : 20% ;  * Reduced rate : 10% (staples).

Senegal also applies a customs stamp at a flat rate of 5%.

5.2. Special provisions : 

Senegalese foreign trade operators can also resort to economic regulations allowing the suspension of duties and taxes especially as concerns goods in store or duty free entry of products or even industrial entrepot.

6. FOREIGN TRADE LOGISTIC : 

Senegal's Government has recently worked out a new adjustment programme of sectorial transports in order to develop and maintain infrastructures in this field. 

6.1. International Transports : 

Senegal is provided with an important road network and a large number of private cars : 14,000 Km in 1993 of main, secondary and regional roads. 

The railway network is managed by la Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Sénégalais : Dakar - Kidiri trunk road crosses the country from the East to the West and Thiès - Saint Louis trunk road and extends beyond the Mauritanian frontier. 

In the maritime field, Dakar Port is provided with modern facilities since it is one the first west African ports. Some other ports are both fluvial and maritime ; it is notably the case of Saint-Louis, Kaolack and Ziguinchor ports. 

In the field of air transports, Senegal is endowed with three airports open to public air-traffic as well as with 12 aerodromes for private users. Leopold Sedar Senghor airport of Dakar Yoff is the unique international airport provided with three runways that can receive all sorts of airplanes. 

Senegal is member of Air Africa multinational company but it also owns a national company (Air Senegal) which ensures domestic links and even with some border countries. 

6.2. Telecommunications : 

The telecommunications network is mainly managed by SONATEL. Yet, private enterprises may be importer, distributor or installator. 

There are currently sixty telephone centrals in Senegal and a radiotelephonic system covering all Dakar and Thiès' areas. 

At international level connections are made through a network composed of commutation and switching centers. 

A new telecommunications development programme is in process. 

6.3. Distribution System : 

The structure of the distribution system in Senegal is as follows : 

Traditional distribution which concerns products and domestic markets but which rarely offers outlets to foreign products ;

Retailers are mainly supplied by importing wholesalers, they may be divided into two categories ; on the one hand, small traders scattered all over the Senegalese territory and West-like store chains which are most of the time located in the large cities, the most important of which are scores, Filfili stores and Leader Price.

Finally, wholesalers which most of the time have signed exclusive contracts with foreign suppliers.

7. USEFUL ADDRESSES : 

Organizations & Public Establishments	ADDRESS	PHONE / FAX
Centre International du commerce extérieur du Sénégal (CICES)	Route de l’Aéroport, B.P. 8166	Telex : (0906) 31512 FIDAK  Tel : 221 - 20.13.05  Fax : 221 - 20.46.05
Centre international d’échanges de Dakar	Dakar Yoff - SENEGAL
Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances	avenue Carde  Dakar / SENEGAL	Tel : (19.221) 23 16 48  Fax : 22.41.95
Ministère du Commerce, de l’Artisanat et de l'Industrie	avenue cheikh hamidou kane, building administratif   Dakar / SENEGAL	Tel : (19.221) 23 10 88
Direction Générale des Douanes	Immeuble Sifa, 5 place de l’indépendance, B.P. 4033   Dakar / SENEGAL	Tel : (19.221) 21 13 28
Syndicat des commerçants importateurs et exportateurs de l’Afrique Occidentale ( SCIMPEX )	2, rue Parent X avenue Abdoulayé Fadiga, B.P. 806  Dakar - SENEGAL	Tel. : (19.221) 21 36 62
Direction de la Statistique	Rue 1 x Boulevard de l'Est Point E  B.P. 116 Dakar	Tel : 24.03.01 / 23.00.50
Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Dakar	Place de l'Indépendance   B.P. 118 - Dakar	Tel : 23.71.89  Fax : 23.93.63
Conseil National du Patronat du Sénégal	4, Rue Alfred Goux  B.P. 3537 - Dakar	Tel : 22.28.42  Fax : 21.58.03
Conseil National des Employeurs du Sénégal	36, Rue du Docteur Calmette  B.P. 3819 - Dakar	Tel : 22.76.62
Union Nationale des Commerçants et Industriels du Sénégal	3, Rue Valmy  B.P. 11542 - Dakar	Tel : 21.60.48  Fax : 22.01.85