RESTRICTED  WORLD  TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/S/127 
5 January 2004 
 
 (04-0001) 
Trade Policy Review Body  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
THE GAMBIA 
 
Report by the Secretariat 
 
   
This report, prepared for the first Trade Policy Review of The Gambia, has been 
drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its ow n responsibility.  The Secretariat has, 
as required by the Agreement establishi ng the Trade Policy Review Mechanism 
(Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreemen t Establishing the World Trade 
Organization), sought clarification from the Government of The Gambia on its 
trade policies and practices. 
 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Mr. Amar 
Breckenridge (tel: 739 5372). 
 
Document WT/TPR/G/127 contains the policy statement submitted by the 
Government of The Gambia 
 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circul ation and press embargo until the end of the meeting 
of the Trade Policy Review Body on The Gambia. The Gambia WT/TPR/S/127 
 Page iii 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
   Page 
SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS vii 
(1) T HE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  vii 
(2) I NSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK  vii 
(3) T RADE POLICY INSTRUMENTS  viii 
(4) S ECTORAL POLICIES  x 
(5) T RADE POLICY AND TRADING PARTNERS  xi  
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 1 
(1) M AJOR FEATURES OF THE ECONOMY  1 
(2) R ECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS  2 
(3) T RADE PERFORMANCE AND INVESTMENT  5 
(i) Trade in goods and services 5 (ii) Investment 8 
(4) O
UTLOOK  10 
II. TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIME 12 
(1) T HE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK  12 
(2) T RADE POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  13 
(3) P OLICY OBJECTIVES  14 
(4) L AWS AND REGULATIONS  15 
(5) T RADE AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS  20 
(i) Multilateral agreements 20 
(ii) Regional agreements 21 
(iii) Bilateral trade agreements and arrangements 23 (iv) Non-reciprocal preferential treatment arrangements 23 
(6) T
RADE -RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  27 
(i) General needs 27 (ii) Supply-side constraints 29 
(iii) Integration of trade into development plas 30 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 31 
(1) I
NTRODUCTION  31 
(2) M EASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS  32 
(i) Registration and documentation 32 
(ii) Customs procedures 32 
(iii) Tariffs, other duties, and charges 33 
(iv) Rules of origin 37 (v) Import prohibitions, controls, and licensing 37 
(vi) Anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures 38 
(vii) Standards and other technical requirements 38 (viii) Government procurement 40 
(xi) Local-content requirements 41 
(x) Other measures 41 WT/TPR/S/127 Trade Policy Review 
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    Page  
 
(3) M EASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING EXPORTS  41 
(i) Registration and documentation 41 
(ii) Export taxes 42 (iii) Export prohibitions and controls 42 
(iv) Export subsidies, finance, and assistance 42 
(v) Free zones 42 
(4) M
EASURES AFFECTING PRODUCTION AND TRADE  43 
(i) Incentives 43 
(ii) State enterprises and privatization 44 (iii) Competition policy and price controls 49 
(iv) Intellecutal property 52 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 54 
(1) O
VERVIEW  54 
(2) A GRICULTURE AND RELATED ACTIVITIES  54 
(i) Introduction 54 
(ii) Evolution of agricultural policy 57 
(iii) Main categories of products 59 
(3) M INING AND QUARRYING , AND ENERGY  71 
(i) Mining and quarrying 71 
(ii) Energy 73 
(4) M ANUFACTURING  74 
 (5) S ERVICES  76 
(i) Financial services 77 (ii) Telecommunications and postal services 81 
(iii) Transport 83 
(iv) Tourism 86 
REFERENCES 89 
APPENDIX TABLES 93 The Gambia WT/TPR/S/127 
 Page v 
 
 
 Page  
CHARTS 
 
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
 
I.1 Structure of exports and imports, 1995-00 7 
I.2 Direction of merchandise trade, 1995-00 9 I.3 Sectorial distribution of FDI stock, 1999 and 2000 10 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
 
III.1 MFN tariff distribution by s ector (ISIC1 definitions), 2003 35 
III.2 Tariff escalation by ISIC 2-digit, 2003 36 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
 
IV.1 The Gambia's tariff by ISIC classification, 2003 75 
IV.2 Growth in broad money and private sector credit, as a percentage of GDP 79  
TABLES 
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
 
I.1 Economic performance, 1997-02 4 
I.2 Balance-of-payments, 1995/96 to 2002 6 
II. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
 
II.1 Main trade-related laws and regulations of The Gambia, July 2003 15 
II.2 Priority sectors and activities under the Investment Promotion Act 18 
II.3 Selected notifications by The Gambia to the WTO, July 2003 21 II.4 Utilization rates by The Gambia of trade preferences granted by the Quad 24 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
 
III.1 Structure of MFN tariffs in The Gambia, 2003 33 
III.2 Completed privatization,  as at October 2003 44 
III.3 Liquidations, as at October 2003 45 III.4 Performance of Track I pub lic enterprise s, 1999-02 47 
III.5 Track I enterprises – envisioned timet able and actions, as  at October 2003 48 
III.6 Track II enterprises – en visioned timetable and actio ns, as at October 2003 49 
IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
 
IV.1 Contribution of agriculture and various subsectors to GDP (at market prices), 
 1997-02   55 
IV.2 Main crops: Surface, production and yield 1997-02 55 
IV.3 Groundnut production and prices, 1995-01 59 IV.4 Cereals, 1998-02  64 
IV.5 Horticultural sector production indicators, 2002 65 
IV.6 Fisheries: (a)  Catches and exports, 1997-02 66   (b)  Composition of exports, 2000-02 66 
  (c)  Costs of licences 66 WT/TPR/S/127 Trade Policy Review 
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 Page  
 IV.7 Forestry: (a)  Production, 1997-01 70 
  (b)  Costs of timber permits, 2002 70 
  (c)  Cost of royalties, 2002 70   (d)  Licence fees, 2002 70 
IV.8 Electricity: (a)  Production and consumption, 1996-99 73 
  (b)  Retail prices per kWh, 1997-00 73 IV.9 Banking sector deposits, assets, and aggregate profits, 1996-01 78 
IV.10 Banking sector – key interest rates, 1996-02 78 
IV.11 Sectoral distribution of loans, 1997-02 79 IV.12 Insurance companies, and value of premiums and assets, 1998-01 81 
IV.13 Telecommunications indicators, 1997-00 81 
IV.14 International tariffs applied by GAMTEL, 2002 82 IV.15 Banjul Port, cargo throughput, 1997-02 84 
IV.16 Charges and dues at Banjul Port 84 
IV.17 Passenger and cargo traffic through Banjul International Airport, 1997-02 86 IV.18 Tourism indicators, 1997-01 86 
 
APPENDIX TABLES 
 
I. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
 
AI.1 Exports structure (excluding re-exports), 1995-00 95 
AI.2 Exports structure (including re-exports), 1995-00 96 
AI.3 Imports structure, 1995-00 97 AI.4 Origin of imports, 1995-00 98 
AI.5 Destinations of exports (including re-exports), 1995-00 99 
AI.6 Destination of exports (excluding re-exports), 1995-00 100 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
 
AIII.1 MFN tariff, by HS 2-digit, 2003 101 IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
 
AIV.1 Applied MFN tariff statistics, by ISIC Rev.2 category, 2003 104 
 
 The Gambia WT/TPR/S/127 
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SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS 
 
(1) ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1. The pace and depth of economic 
reforms implemented by The Gambia, a least developed country (with a per capita income 
of US$320 and about 47% of population living 
below the poverty line), increased in the late 
1990s. Fiscal discipline was improved through 
a stronger control of expenditure, tariffs were reduced and restructured, and progress was 
made on the divestiture of public enterprises.  
These measures contributed to a reduction in 
inflation, increased inflows of foreign direct 
investment, and real GDP growth of 5.6% per annum on average during the period 1998-01. Donor support, debt relief under the HIPC 
initiative, and private transfers from abroad 
contributed to anchor The Gambia's external 
reserve position, despite its chronic current 
account deficits. 
2. However, since 2001, policy slippages 
have brought to the fore the vulnerability of 
The Gambia's economy, still dominated by 
groundnut exports and re-export trade.  In 
addition to historical shortfalls in revenue (stemming from the widespread recourse to duty exemptions and weaknesses in revenue 
collections), expenditure  overruns increased 
the public deficit (including grants) to 9.7% of 
GDP in 2001 and 7.0% in 2002.  This, 
combined with steep depreciation of the 
national currency, the dalasi, and erratic 
rainfall, raised inflation to 10% in 2002 and 
nearly 15% in the first six months of 2003.  
Real GDP growth dropped to 3.6% in 2002 (and may fall further in 2003) because of the low level of investment (mainly due to the lack 
of progress on the reforms of public enterprises), and poor performance by the 
groundnut subsector, tourism, and re-export 
trade. 
3. The Gambia's merchandise exports 
(excluding re-exports) are mainly 
concentrated in agri-based products, with 
groundnuts the single largest export.  Non-
traditional activities, such as horticulture, have yet to show results commensurate with their export potential; exports of manufactures 
made in The Gambia have been negligible.  
Imports are dominated by rice, a staple food, 
and manufactures, notably transport equipment and machinery.  The European Union is the largest market for The Gambia's 
exports, excluding re-exports, and the largest 
source of imports to The Gambia. 
4. Re-exports have historically 
accounted for a very high percentage of The Gambia's overall trade.  They have been 
encouraged by the relative efficiency of its 
port, its historically more liberal exchange 
rate and trade policies, and underdeveloped 
customs administration throughout the region, though recent developments, mainly the continued appreciation of the euro, have 
somewhat dampened The Gambia's 
comparative advantages fo r these activities.  
Diamonds (to Europe), and manufactured 
products, notably textiles, machinery, and 
electric and electronic equipment (to the sub-
region and East Africa) account for the bulk of 
re-exports.  There is virtually no processing of 
imports for re-export.  
5. In general, The Gambia is a net 
services exporter, with tourism the largest service export.  Freight and insurance are the 
biggest services imports.  The downturn in the 
tourism subsector contributed to the net 
balance on trade in non-factor services 
turning negative in 2000. 
(2) I
NSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK  
6. Under the 1997 Constitution, The 
Gambia is a unitary republic, with executive 
power vested in the Presidency, and legislative 
power in a unicameral National Assembly.  
The President is Head of State, head of 
Government, and responsible for nominating 
Cabinet, which can comprise up to 15 
Secretaries of State and the Attorney-General.   
7. The Department of State for Trade, 
Industry and Employment (DOSTIE) is formally responsible for trade policy. Trade 
policy formulation also involves other 
Departments of State, most notably those WT/TPR/S/127 Trade Policy Review 
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responsible for Finance and Economic Affairs, 
for Foreign Affairs, for Justice, for 
Agriculture, for Local Government, and for 
Health.  Trade policy reforms, particularly tariff reductions, regulatory reforms and divestiture, are aimed at transforming The 
Gambia into a middle-income country by the 
year 2020.  However, The Gambia's 
overarching Vision 2020 document provides 
little discussion of concrete policy measures.  
Inter-ministerial coordination and the quality 
of informational flows on trade policy matters 
are poor.  Consequently, the formulation and 
discussion of trade policy have been, at best, 
only partially integrated into the overall 
development and poverty reduction strategies. 
8. The Gambia is an original Member of 
the WTO.  MFN treatment is accorded to all 
its trading partners.  The Gambia's ability to 
benefit from its membership in the WTO is 
hampered by capacity constraints, which 
affect both its participation in negotiations 
(The Gambia does not have a mission in 
Geneva), and implementation of trade reforms 
entailed by its commitments.  This is 
particularly apparent in areas such as customs 
valuation, standards, and intellectual property.  While The Gambia has one of the 
highest levels of commitments under the 
GATS, for a least developed country, 
legislation and/or policy practices in some 
subsectors such as banking, and maritime and 
road transport do not mirror those 
commitments.  
9. The Gambia benefits from a variety of 
preferential market access schemes extended by both developed and developing countries.  Actual utilization of these preferences tends to 
be erratic, owing to, inter alia, complex 
documentation and rules of origin 
requirements, and (som etimes) a lack of 
awareness by the Gambian exporters of these 
opportunities.  The Gambia would therefore 
benefit from specific support designed to 
disseminate information regarding 
preferential market access opportunities, and 
on how to satisfy procedural requirements attached to them.  The Gambia is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), but it neither accords nor 
receives preferential treatment under the 
ECOWAS Treaty.  
(3) T
RADE POLICY INSTRUMENTS  
10. Customs duties are The Gambia's 
main trade policy instrument.  The Gambia's 
applied MFN tariffs were restructured in 
2000; six rates ranging from zero to 18% 
replaced 30 rates ranging from zero to 90%.  The simple average of applied tariffs dropped from 13.6% to 12.7%, a relatively modest 
reduction, partially explained by the fact that 
the number of zero rates declined from 28% to 
16% of all tariff lines.  Tariffs are moderately 
dispersed;  the coefficient of variation is 0.53.  The modal rate of 18% covers virtually all agricultural products, and a number of 
manufactured products, including both 
consumer and capital goods.  Agriculture is 
the most protected sector, with an average 
tariff of 14.4%, while the average tariff on manufactures is 12.8%.  The aggregate 
pattern of tariff escalation is mixed (negative 
from the first to the second stage of 
processing, positive from  the second to the 
third stage). In particular, for industries such as textiles, apparel, leather, chemicals and plastics, the tariff structure on its own (i.e. 
setting aside duty concessions) does not 
encourage investment in  processing activities. 
11. Duty and tax exemptions are aimed at 
export promotion, import substitution, and the use of local raw materials.  The simultaneous 
promotion of processed exports and the use of 
local raw materials are not possible, however, 
where the current tariff structure yields 
negative escalation from th e first to the second 
stage of processing, since compensating for 
the anti-export bias caused by the high level of 
protection of local raw materials necessarily 
entails granting access at world prices to 
imported raw materials or support measures 
(that The Gambia cannot afford due to fiscal 
difficulties).  Weaknesses in customs 
administration hamper the precise recording 
of exemptions; however, data available 
indicate that the value of exemptions could be as high as 16% of the value of merchandise The Gambia WT/TPR/S/127 
 Page ix 
 
 
imports in some years.  The habitually high 
total value of waivers granted, lapses in 
recording procedures, and the discretion over 
the granting of customs duty concessions are liable to compromise the transparency and predictability of The Gambia's tariff regime.  
Such discretion is also at odds with attempts to 
streamline the incentives system, as evidenced 
by the adoption of the Investment Promotion 
Act. 
12. During the Uruguay Round, The 
Gambia bound tariffs on a limited number of 
non-agricultural products.  The bound rates 
range from 30% on passenger service 
vehicles, to 40% on diamonds and certain other precious stones, and 80% on private motor vehicles.  Tariffs on all agricultural 
products were bound at a ceiling rate of 
110%, with the exception of certain products 
on which tariffs were bound at lower rates.  
These include certain acylic alcohols (20%), 
hides and skins (20%), and certain raw fabrics 
(cotton, silk, flax, and hemp) on which the 
bound rates vary from 25% to 40%.  Other 
duties and charges on all products subject to 
the tariff commitment were bound at 10%.  
The Gambia did not make any tariff concessions prior to the Uruguay Round. 
13. Licensing requirements apply to a few 
products, such as firearms and munitions, 
mainly for security purposes.  The Gambia 
does not operate a preshipment inspection 
scheme.  It continues to use the Brussels 
Definition of Value for valuation purposes.  
The sales tax, the main internal tax applying to 
imports, discriminates against imports of food and beverages, which are subject to the standard rate, whereas locally produced food 
and drink are exempt.  Certain excise duties also discriminate against imports of 
beverages. 
14. The Gambia does not maintain any 
quantitative restrictions; prohibitions apply on 
sanitary, phytosanitary, security or morality 
grounds, and pursuant to international 
conventions to which it is a signatory.  The list 
of prohibited exports is identical to the list of prohibited imports.  The Gambia does not have any legislation on contingency trade 
remedies and has not undertaken any action in 
this area.  A competition bill is being 
considered for adoption.  The Gambia has not formulated any domestic standards, nor adopted any international standards into 
domestic law.  Sanitary requirements are 
governed by various pieces of legislation (the 
main ones are the Public Health Act and the 
Diseases of Animals Act) and government 
departments;  this renders policy making and 
enforcement difficult.  The main phytosanitary 
laws are the Plant Importation and Regulation 
Act of 1936, and the Prevention of Damage by 
Pests Act of 1962. 
15. Intellectual property legislation is 
little developed, and consists of a law on 
copyright enacted in 1916 by the pre-
independence power, and the Industrial 
Property Act of 1989.  Under the provisions of 
the latter, patents are not registered in The 
Gambia but with the ARIPO, as The Gambia is 
a party to the Harare protocol under which 
the substantive examination of patentability is 
carried out by the ARIPO office.  Legislation 
on public procurement enacted in 2001 
established a Government Procurement Authority; approval of the Authority is 
required before any contract can be concluded 
above, currently, D3,500 for goods and 
D10,000 for works.  The legislation requires 
that open tendering be used as the norm.  No 
preferences are awarded to Gambian 
enterprises.   
16. A 10% export duty is levied on all 
items, except diamonds (taxed at 3%), and fish, fish products, groundnuts and their by-products, and all exports to the European 
Union, which are exempted. 
17. In 2001, The Gambia established a 
free zone in which qualifying enterprises are 
exempt from almost all taxes and duties 
normally applicable. Free zone enterprises are 
required to export a substantial proportion (an 
indicative benchmark currently used is 70%) 
of their production;  the remainder (30%) may 
be sold within The Gambia's customs territory, subject to duties and charges normally WT/TPR/S/127 Trade Policy Review 
Page x 
 
 
applicable to imports.  As at December 2003, 
three enterprises were in the process of 
commencing activities, but no exports from the 
zone had been made.   
18. The 2001 privatization programme 
covers state monopolies to be privatized only 
after the implementation of substantial reforms 
and the enactment of a regulatory regime 
(track I), and ten enterprises that the 
Government considers could be privatized 
without substantial reform or regulatory 
action (track II).  No privatizations have taken 
place under the programme.   
(4) SECTORAL POLICIES  
19. Agriculture employs 70% of the 
labour force, and accounts for 30% of GDP.  
Groundnuts are The Gambia's main cash crop 
and main merchandise export.  Groundnut 
exports have suffered from unstable 
commercialization arrangements (e.g. the privatization and subsequent re-nationalization of The Gambia Groundnut 
Corporation), and from border measures and 
producer subsidies used by some major 
developed and developing countries.  The 
Gambia has virtually no capacity to process groundnuts into cake or oil.  Fisheries also account for a substantial proportion of 
exports, though The Gambia is handicapped 
by its lack of infrastructure (no dedicated 
fishing port, and few commercial trawlers), 
while overfishing of certain fish stocks, mainly by foreign commercial trawlers, has become a 
concern.   
20. The Gambia's agricultural policy 
objectives are to increase rural incomes and to 
achieve food security, The Gambia being a net 
food-importer.  The focus of the policy is 
currently on research and dissemination of 
crop techniques, development of seed variety, 
provision of extension services, and 
encouragement of rural and micro-credit 
programmes.  Marketing arrangements and 
input distribution have been liberalized 
progressively, and inputs subsidies phased out.  
Subsector-specific schemes for the acquisition of inputs using donor funds have been developed.  A system of minimum guaranteed 
prices, supported by a stabilization fund, 
operates in the groundnut subsector. 
21. Agriculture is the most tariff protected 
sector, with an average tariff rate of 14.4%. The fisheries subsector is protected by tariffs 
averaging 17.6%.  Most of the main cash and 
food crops are protected by the maximum 
tariff of 18%, with the notable exception of 
rice, which is zero-rated on account of its role as a staple food.  Certain subsectors (notably 
fisheries, groundnuts, horticulture and 
cereals) are eligible for duty concessions 
under the Investment Promotion Act.  A 
complex mix of formal legislation and customary and religious practices renders enforcement of land rights difficult, with 
negative consequences on investment and 
productivity.   
22. The manufacturing sector is 
particularly under-developed; it accounts for less than 5% of real GDP, and employs fewer 
than 20,000 people. Manufacturing centres 
around groundnut processing, brewing and 
soft drinks, soaps, plastics, and tanning.  
Though agri-processing activities have potential, they have attracted little investment.  The development of manu facturing activities is 
constrained by pervasive supply-side 
constraints, notably erratic power supply and 
the high cost of credit.  The tariff structure in a 
number of manufacturing subsectors induces 
anti-export biases by, inter alia, raising the 
cost of inputs.  The recent establishment of a 
free zone might help to encourage investment 
in manufacturing activities, but is not a substitute for tariff reforms. 
23. Services account for around 65% of 
The Gambia's real GDP in 2002. Distribution 
services are the single most important 
subsector;  they have close connections with 
re-exports and are closely associated with 
informal sector operations.  Tourism (12% of 
real GDP in 2001) is the largest gross earner 
of foreign exchange (60% of all earnings in 
2000).  As a tourism destination, The Gambia 
is in a highly competitive "sea-sun-sand" market, and its attraction for tourists is The Gambia WT/TPR/S/127 
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dependent on its ability to keep pace with rival 
destinations and to provide access to a variety 
of tourist activities.  The divestiture process 
has stimulated foreign investment in the subsector.  However, backward linkages with other sectors of the economy remain weak.  
The Gambia has liberalized its financial 
services subsector.  However, the banking 
activities, still dominated by two large players, 
display high transaction costs brought about 
by weaknesses in the judicial system.  Cellular 
telephony has been liberalized, though 
competition is affected by the close links 
between one provider and the state-owned 
fixed line monopolist, and the lack of a 
negotiated interconnection agreement. 
24. The Gambia has undertaken 
commitments under the GATS in 12 service 
subsectors, making it one of the least 
developed countries with the highest number 
of commitments in the Uruguay Round and 
subsequent negotiations on services.  Specific 
sectoral commitments cover business-related 
services, communication services, construction 
and related engineering services, distribution 
services, educational services, environmental 
services, financial services, health and related social services, tourism and travel-related 
services, recreational, cultural and sporting 
services, transport services, and other 
miscellaneous services.  In almost all the 
subsectors involved, measures affecting 
market access and national treatment have 
been bound, without limitation, for modes of 
supply 1 to 3.  In some subsectors, legislation 
and/or policy practices need to be updated to reflect the commitments made.  
(5) T
RADE POLICIES AND TRADING 
PARTNERS  
25. With a relatively liberal trade regime,  The Gambia has fully relied on the 
multilateral trading system for the orderly 
promotion of its trade.  Its low interest in 
preferential trade agreements partially results from its traditional role as a hub for re-exports to neighbouring countries.  However, 
its re-export trade, at le ast in its current form, 
is unlikely to provide durable prospects for 
growth.  Therefore, in the future, its trade 
policy reforms need to address anti-export 
biases resulting from the tariff structure, with 
a view to contributing to the diversification of 
production and exports.  Consolidation of 
macroeconomic discipline and resumption of 
the divestiture programme would also help by 
creating an environment conducive to private investment. 
26. The Gambia could improve the 
predictability of its trade regime by increasing 
the coverage of bound tariffs, and by reducing 
the gap between bound and applied rates.  
Further tariff reforms would also reduce the 
need for duty exemptions and concessions.  
Trade facilitation measures, particularly 
implementation of the WTO Agreement on 
Customs Valuation, would also play their part, 
by ensuring that customs procedures do not generate additional costs for importers.  
27. The Gambia's trading partners could 
help it in its endeavours by providing technical 
assistance and increased and stable market 
access, and by eliminating practices that 
severely distort international markets for 
products of prime interest to The Gambia.  At 
the same time, The Gambia needs to make 
more effective use of preferences available to it and of the technical assistance it receives.