As part of efforts to strengthen ties and promote trade facilitation between their two nations, the Director General (DG) of Guinea Bissau Customs and Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Messrs. Dominico Sanea and Yankuba Darboe, respectively, had recently met for discussions.
The Bissau Guinean Customs chief was accompanied to Banjul by his Technical Advisor, Mr. Amadou Diop; a visit facilitated by Mr. Bakutobo Sillah, a Business Executive, and Mr. Abdou Jeng of the Jiboroh Customs Post.
Welcoming the visiting officials, Darboe expressed his profound appreciation for the visit, which he believes would go a long way in cementing ties and strengthening trade facilitation between The Gambia and Guinea Bissau.
“This is critical given the huge trade that takes place between Banjul and Bissau. Today’s meeting, being the first of its kind between the two administrations, is a welcome development in the context of regional integration and addressing challenges in the free movement of people and goods,” said GRA boss.
This was followed by a presentation by GRA’s Director of Technical Services, Mr. Yahya Manneh, centering on the GRA model. The presentation delved into the history, structure strategic focus and mandate of the Authority. Unlike the Bissau experience, the GRA is a combination of Customs and Domestic Taxes as operational departments and six other support departments.
According to his presentation, GRA collection accounts for 60% of government revenue which is a fundamental pillar in building a modern country.
In reaction to the model, DG Sanea acknowledged his satisfaction with the Gambian experience, and immediately called for the two administrations to develop an MOU and start working in building a bilateral relationship. To strengthen the call for the fulfilment of this demand, Darboe quickly proposed the setting up of a 12-man Technical Working Committee; six from each side.
The visiting Customs DG had also extended an invitation to the GRA chief and his team to visit Bissau as soon as possible, with a return visit [by Bissau Guineans] to Banjul three months later. From this, the relevant stakeholders and players in the respective countries should be involved and informed immediately.
Mr. Essa Jallow, Deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Taxes, used the opportunity to
also express his appreciation for the high profile visit.
The GRA second-in-command encouraged the meeting to also work on easing challenges in the cashew trade which is currently facing serious challenges.
In his contribution, the Acting Commissioner of Customs also expressed similar sentiments.
CG Darboe also went on to encourage the learning of best practices among their sister institutions and governments, describing it as the “best way forward” for sustainable development.
He enjoined his counterpart to endeavour to earn political support from the Bissau authorities as a means of being able to sustain efforts in meeting the revenue targets set for him.
