By Kemo Kanyi
After a disturbing border crisis between The Gambia and Senegal, mainly on the issue of Gambia Revenue Authority’s electronic tracking system, this seeks to monitor trucks entering the Gambia to prevent tax fraud by businesses. The two countries met on Tuesday to discuss the contentious issues and have reached agreements on various areas of mutual interest.
The Ministry of Information of The Gambia shared that there had been some progress made during engagement with their counterpart.
It said fees for the electronic tracker remain in force. Payment remains the same, and all trucks in transit through Gambia are expected to pay.
Senegal will implement the electronic tracking system as well and later explore possibilities of harmonizing fees with Gambia.
“The Gambia to send a list of goods that are exempted from payment of duty to the Senegalese authorities,” it stated.
It has further made clarifications on the amounts to be paid at various points of entry.
“The period for the Laissez Passer (passavant) for Gambian vehicles entering Senegal has been increased from 10 days to 30 days for 5000 CFA D575.00) with allowance for renewal for 15 days for 10,000 CFA (D1,150.00).
In addition, all Senegalese vehicles entering Gambia will also be issued a 30-day Laissez passé for 5000 CFA (D575.00) and renewable for another 15 days for 15000 CFA (D1,725.00)
The Laissez passé for vehicles entering Gambia and Passavantfor vehicles entering Senegal does not apply to trucks in transit.
Senegalese Trucks in transit will only pay electronic tracking service fees, nothing else,” the Ministry confirmed.
It further stated that Gambian trucks in transit to Bissau, Mali, and Conakry, using the Senegalese corridor, will only be charged for escort fees and nothing else.
The ferry crossing charges for Senegal’s Dakar Dem Dik and Gambia’s GTSC busses have been restored to their original price of 63000 CFA (D7, 245.00)
The authorities have also agreed to accept payments in both currencies when crossing the bridge.
“Finally, all vehicles, both Gambian and Senegalese, using the bridge have the option to pay in both currencies (Dalasi or CFA) at a fixed rate to be published weekly,” it affirmed.
Goods bought from Senegal for the Gambia shall no longer be charged the 80,000 CFA (D9, 200.00) fee imposed on goods valued at 500,000 CFA (D57,500.00) or above.
Note that equivalent prices in dalasi are subject to changes by the exchange rate of the period in consideration.