The WCO conducted a Risk Management (RM) diagnostic mission in Gambia, from 25 February to 1 March 2019, to support the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) with its ongoing reform and modernization programme.  The mission received financing from Germany’s GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) development agency.

A specific focus of the mission was supporting the GRA with implementation of trade facilitation measures under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), by creating conditions conducive to the establishment of a more efficient RM system and the development of enhanced cooperation between border control agencies in Gambia.

The mission began with an address by Mr. Yankuba Darboe, GRA’s Commissioner General, and his management team on the current status of the RM systems in place at the GRA and the latter’s expectations for the reform programme.  The WCO RM framework and other tools and instruments were then discussed.  The mission took note of the current practical application of RM in different areas of the GRA, before holding talks with senior management and specialists within the GRA on areas such as RM, Post-Clearance Audit (PCA), Information Technology (IT) and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).

Field visits were subsequently made to Banjul port container terminal and the airport.  The mission experts also spoke with senior staff from large taxpayers as well as with small and medium taxpayer departments to gain an insight into ERM.

The GRA greatly appreciated the WCO’s expertise in the area of RM and looks forward to receiving the recommendations stemming from the diagnostic mission report.  During the concluding session, the Commissioner General expressed his full satisfaction with the way the mission had been conducted and the positive discussions held during the site visits.  He also extended his gratitude to the WCO for the latter’s ongoing support with RM and other Customs matters.