GRA Commissioner General and his counterparts in Dakar
By Buba Gagigo
Yankuba Darboe, the Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), is leading a delegation to Senegal for the 10th Bilateral Meeting with the Senegalese Customs in Dakar.
In his remarks at the meeting, Commissioner General Darboe highlighted the significance of this 10th bilateral gathering, noting that it symbolizes the strong relationship between the two customs administrations and the enduring bond between the people of The Gambia and Senegal.
“It is a personal pleasure to be here today with my dear brother, Dr. Mbaye Ndiaye. As many of you know, there exists a strong and enduring brotherly relationship between myself and my counterpart, Dr. Mbaye Ndiaye. Our personal relationship reflects the strong ties that bind our two nations. In today’s rapidly changing world, collaboration between nations, particularly in the area of customs administration, is more important than ever. We face new challenges, such as the evolving nature of trade and the increasing sophistication of smuggling activities,” Darboe said.
Darboe underscored the importance of nurturing robust bilateral relations between customs authorities, emphasizing that it is vital for economic growth and regional integration.
“The efficient movement of goods and services across borders is crucial for economic growth and regional integration. By working together, we can ensure a smooth flow of trade, protect our borders, and collaboratively work together to combat smuggling and other customs offences. We are fortunate to have a strong foundation in the form of our existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” he said.
He pointed out that the MoU establishes the rules and procedures governing their cooperation and urged both delegations to remain dedicated to its principles.
“Since the signing of this MoU, several challenges have arisen over the years that have hindered cross-border trade, particularly transit trade, between the two countries and third countries. Most of these challenges are expressed in the recommendations of the 9th Bilateral Meeting. I will therefore urge the two delegations to review the recommendations of the 9th Bilateral meeting in order to identify the action points, discuss them with an open mind, and prescribe innovative but workable solutions,” he said.
The Commissioner General assured that both the Senegalese Customs Administration and the Gambia Revenue Authority are committed to implementing the recommendations from their discussions.
“Myself and Dr. Mbaye Ndiaye have expressed our commitment to implement the recommendations of this meeting. I am confident that through open and honest discussions, we will find innovative and effective solutions to the challenges we face. To our esteemed Senegalese colleagues and my Gambian delegation, I urge you to approach the meeting with an open mind and with a commitment to finding workable solutions to improve the economic well-being of the citizens of our two countries,” he said.