By: Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia government Tuesday began a two-day training workshop on the Digital Duty Waiver Application System.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in partnership with the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), NICK TC-SCAN (GAMBIA) LTD and the Gambia National Single Window organized the workshop held at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul and focused on the newly introduced digital platform for processing duty waiver applications through the SmartPort System.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ansumana Sanneh, said the Gambia National Single Window had introduced the digital system as part of efforts to modernize public administration and improve service delivery.
Sanneh said the duty waiver application process had previously relied largely on manual submissions and the physical movement of documents between applicants, ministries and other institutions involved in reviewing applications.
He described the digital system as an important step towards improving the efficiency of the process.
Musa Saidykhan, Director of ICT and Digitalisation and Project Manager of the Gambia National Single Window, commended the Ministry of Finance for its leadership, guidance and commitment to advancing the digital transformation of government services.
He said the ministry’s support had been instrumental in introducing and implementing the digital duty waiver application system.
“Duty waivers play a significant role within the government’s fiscal and economic management framework. They support critical government programs, facilitate investment and contribute to broader economic development,” Saidykhan remarked.
He noted however that the effectiveness of the duty waiver regime depended not only on the strength of its policy and legal framework, but also on efficient implementation.
Saidykhan said digitalization could significantly improve the visibility and traceability of applications while reducing the movement of physical documents.
For his part, Essa Wally, President of the Association of Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents, said clearing and forwarding agents occupied a critical position at the intersection of international trade, logistics and government revenue collection.
“We are a vital bridge between importers, government authorities and port operations. When logistics run smoothly, trade flourishes, businesses grow and the national economy thrives. However, misunderstandings occur, particularly regarding duty waivers and tax exemptions, and the entire supply chain feels the strain,” Wally said.
He pointed out that duty waivers were designed to incentivize investment and support charitable and development initiatives, as well as strategic sectors of the economy.
However, he noted that navigating the duty waiver process could be complex and time-consuming.
Wally underscored that incomplete documentation, misunderstandings about eligible categories and procedural delays could slow cargo clearance, resulting in demurrage costs and tying up valuable resources.
Participants at the workshop would be sensitized to the system’s application requirements, submission and processing procedures, as well as the various stages of the duty waiver application process.
The workshop will also provide participants with practical guidance on navigating and using the digital system effectively.
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