Gambian Government Urges GRA, Councils to Forego Taxes for Livestock Importers. Back in May, a consultative meeting was held with all the relevant stakeholders in the livestock sector.
The purpose of this gathering was to ease the importation and sales of livestock ahead of the Tobaski feast.
Following the outcome of the meeting, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) has urged livestock dealers in Gambia to pay attention to and take advantage of the measures that will be carried out by the Government.
Gambian Government Urges GRA, Councils To Forego Taxes For Livestock Importers
These measures are meant to ease the sales of livestock in the country effective 3rd June 2024, and they are as follows:
1. The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) will forego all import duties and domestic taxes on livestock during the period.
2. The Kanifing Municipal Council will forego fees and taxes for the livestock dealers except for the cleaning fees.
3. During the period, the GPA Ferry Services will lower the fees for ferry crossing by half. All livestock dealers with over five (5) animals are mandated to convey their animals in a vehicle during the ferry crossing.
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4. The Banjul City Council and the Brikama Area Council will also forego all fees and taxes for livestock dealers.
Additionally, to ensure that livestock are easily accessible, certain locations have been established as appointed points of sale.
Brikama Area Council (BAC) designated sales points include:
6. Brikama Livestock Sales Ground near the Gambia College;
7. Brikama-SSP;
8. Old Governor’s Residence in Brikama;
9. Farato, close to Jambur Junction,
10. Jabang Livestock Sales Ground;
11. Sukata-Jabang Junction;
12. Sukuta Brufut Highway, next to Brusubi Police Station;
13. Gunjur Roundabout next to the cemetery.
Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) appointed sales points for livestock include:
14. Westfield at Kanifing West Park;
15. Buffer Zone;
16. Kololi New Road, next to Manjai Park or Jah Oil;
17. Bakau, around GTMI/ or around Independence Staduim.
Furthermore:
18. The Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA) showground at Abuko Abattoir is available for all livestock dealers free of charge to support their sales.
19. The Gambia Police Force will strengthen security during the period especially at the appointed sales points.
21. The Gambia Immigration Department will ease entry of the dealers into the country and where important, will offer laissez passe free of charge to anyone from the ECOWAS Region without delay.
22. All livestock dealers in the country must always carry relevant documents such as an ID card, laissez-passer, or any other form of identification for easy identification purposes. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment therefore urges all livestock dealers to make sure that these positive steps are evident in the prices of livestock.