I read this article in the Gambia net and was really surprised by this
move.
In my humble opinion these types of additional expenses to the importers
and exporters alike would only hike prices and guess who will suffer ??
The average Gambian consumers and the Gambian Government's LPO's.

Why not continue with the customs  laws that we already have but improve
on them by having competent and HONEST officers verify the values of
merchandises traded in the country. This is going to be a nightmare for
the Government and businesses .
By the way when will it be implemented?? . There should be some grace
period whenever you have such changes.
This reminds me of the gun laws in the US . Instead of enforcing the
present laws new ones are created with greater loopholes.

I have been with the Chamber of Commerce for over a decade and based on
my experience this move is premature in my honest opinion.
It may be done in stages like first checking all electrical appliances
(like TVs ,microwaves, computers, telephones, power tools etc.) that are
imported to ensure they have the same voltage as provided by the current
Electrical supplies in the country. Then go the next stage like food &
medicines, checking expiry dates and ingredients as labeled . You cannot
do this without a lab- no way-. You will get all kinds of fabricated
documents attesting the fact that they are fit for human consumption.
Without an independent lab it is just a waste of time and added costs to
the consumers.
Then next go into labeling to ensure that some canned foods do not
contain pork or alcohol from the original sources not in Banjul. As
muslims we are not supposed to eat pork and its by products but how many
really check the ingredients.  Of course non muslims can also have pork
items that are clearly indicated and have a right to get what they want
.No one can deny any consumer to buy whatever they can afford.
The list goes on and on

Here is the article


GOVT. INTRODUCES NEW IMPORT/EXPORT
 PROGRAM MME

 Businessmen Express Concern

 The Gambia Government has introduced a new import/export
 programs, is to ensure that good and products imported
 into the Gambia, comply with specified standards in respect
 of their quality, quantity and price; to enhance the standing
 and quality of the country's produce and products in the
 international market place; to assist the government in the
 collection of correct duties and taxes on the Gambia's
 international trade and the customs and excise departure in
 the clearance and release of consignments.

 One specific procedure is that all importers, irrespective of
 their category, value and source of funding, must be
 registered with BIVAC’s liaison office in Banjul. They are to
 also produce legible copy of sellers itemized pro forma
 invoice, showing unit prices of goods to be imported as well
 as a copy of letter of credit and any other documents as
 maybe required in respect of any specific importation.

 The same procedures also apply to exporters, only that they
 are, in addition, to provide two copies of the final invoice and
 the transport document to BIVAC to facilitate the insurance
 of the Mandatory clean report of fundings (CRF). The CRF is
 basically to satisfy BIVAC and the government that goods
 imported or exported in and outside the Gambia are not
 undervalued and also to ensure that they are of good quality,
 fit for human consumption in the country.

 In this regard, banks are advised to ensure that no payment
 for nay import transaction subject to the pre-shipment
 inspection process is made unless the original seller's final
 invoice is attested by BIVAC, its agents of affiliates in the
 country of supply or where applicable, the nominated BIVAC
 office, confirming that a clean report of findings has been
 issued. Details of this shall be stated and security
 (Hologram) label affixed to the original invoice.

 Goods exempted from this pre-shipment inspection, are
 those, whose total order value as stated in relevant contract
 of proforma invoice, are below US $1,000 or its equivalent.

 Any import or exports subject to the pre-shipment inspection
 under this program, arriving in or leaving the Gambia
 without undergoing the requisite inspection, shall attract a
 penalty equal to 30 per cent of their verified value.

 Many importers and exporters who talked to NetPage, said,
 this program is cumbersome, time wasting and a threat to
 free flow of business in the country. Some of the
 businessmen in fact intimated that, this new system will
 eventually lead to increase in prices of goods in the country.
 They said the present system is good which makes the
 Gambia, whose economy is only a service competitive in the
 sub region.

 The Gambia chamber of commerce and Industry is no
 convene a meeting with its members at the end of the week
 to come up with a common standing on this new system.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------------