By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
The Gambian Revenue Authority (GRA) has signed a FIBER-OPTIC internet services agreement with GAMTELL for provision of FIBER-Optic Internet services to all GRA twenty offices across the Country.
The move was motivated by the fact that GRA is about to launch two new System-ASYCUDA World for international trade and an Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) for Domestic Taxes.
The two systems when launch will automate virtually all the tax and customs processes and procedures of GRA and will provide taxpayers and traders two web-based platforms for re-registration, e-filing and e-payment of taxes and duties, amongst others.
Speaking at the signing event held at GRA office in Banjul, the Commissioner General at the Gambia Revenue Authority, Yankuba Darboe, explained that the main reason for choosing FIBER-OPTIC internet services is because of the high-speed internet required to operate the two systems.
“The two systems we are procuring one for international trade and another for Domestic Taxes (and both) require fast internet to facilitate the interactions between the systems and taxpayers, traders and all stakeholders. Once the two systems are launch, hopefully in 2022, taxpayers and traders will be able to submit all documentation (tax returns, invoices) online with little or no human interactions. Taxpayers will also be able to make payments online without the need to visit any GRA tax or Customs officer. This will invariably reduce the cost of compliance for taxpayers by simplifying compliance and reducing the cost of administration for GRA,” he said.
He informed the gathering that the automation of the tax collection systems is one of many reform strategies in GRA’s Corporate Strategic plan (2020-2024). He noted that “as the world is moving towards automation, GRA will not be left behind in this drive.
“Digital transformation of tax processes and procedures has been part of GRA’s strategy to broaden the tax base, enhance transparency and trust, reduce compliance burden for taxpayers and improve administrative efficiency. This dream of ours will only become a reality if we have the necessary internet infrastructure to support this digital transformation. It is this big dream that motivated GRA to enter into this agreement with GAMTEL,” he added.
For her part the Commercial Director of Gamtel, Ramou Nyassi, on behalf of the Director General of Gamtel thanked GRA for trusting them with this big project. She assured GRA’s management that Gamtel will provide the necessary support to realize GRA’s dream of digitizing its processes and procedures.