Mr Darboe said considering the role played by the Agency, GRA, which is one of the highly respected institutions in this country that is mandated to collect revenue on behalf of Government, would continue to engage the association in their reform process.
He made this disclosure on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 during the signing a Memorandum of Understanding between GRA and the Association of Clearing and Forwarding Agents at GRA board room with the aim of fostering solid working relationship.
The agreement is out to ensure a smooth working relationship between the GRA and the Clearing Agents and to facilitate easy access for importers and exporters of goods. It will also commit both parties to share information whenever requested by the other party.
“The agreement is necessary to ensure the authority improves its working relationship with the clearing agents and as well foster that understanding to ensure both parties work in the interest of the country without any ambiguity,” CG Darboe said, adding that clearing agents play a “very important role” in facilitating the collection of taxes.
“We have over hundred registered agents which is also reducing unemployment in the country because those agencies are employing dozens of Gambians,” Mr Darboe noted, saying: “The MoU will foster stronger relationships between the GRA and the Clearing Agents. It also has provisions that would ensure that when any of the parties request for a certain document it is provided without delay.”
CG Darboe added that the clearing agents serve as an interface between the GRA and the importers and “this is why whatever we do, we engage to ensure you feel that sense of belonging”.
The many reform processes introduced by the authority would facilitate a smooth working relationship between the GRA, clearing agents and importers, he stated, adding: “We always endeavour to ensure that the GRA is close to the people that matter to its daily activities.”
He urged the association to advise its members to desist from any dubious actions that contradict the rules and regulations of customs. He also told the association that the GRA would support them during the hosting of their conference of African Clearing and Forwarding Agents.
Alhagie Mbye, Commissioner of Customs, commended the good relationship and partnership the GRA has with the clearing agents, saying: “We are committed to continue to work together.”
GRA’s deputy Commissioner General Essa Jallow said GRA could not afford failing to forge a close relationship with the clearing agents.
“In the enforcement of laws guiding the GRA, we will have to closely work with you as the representative of the importers,” he said. “We are signing the MoU so that we will own up to our responsibility to ensure that we will cooperate in a way that will be beneficial to both entities. If you look at the GRA, a lot of initiatives have been tried and they have either been rolled out or in the pipeline to be rolled out but we cannot do this alone.”
Customs accounts for about 51 per cent of taxes collected by the GRA, he said.
The president of the Association of Gambia Clearing Agents, Essa Wally, commended the GRA for coming up with the idea of inking a MoU with them, saying it will help them in supporting the authority to carry its activities.
