WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/IF/20
26 February 1998
(98-0780)
Committee on Trade and Development
Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical AssistanceOriginal:  English
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS-ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED BY THE GAMBIA
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO1
THE GAMBIA
                                                     
1Published pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 5 (e) of the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical Assistance (WT/LDC/HL/1/Rev.1).WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 2
TRADE-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS-ASSESSMENT
PRESENTED BY THE GAMBIA
THE GAMBIA
A. TRADE POLICY
(a) What are the sectors that you believe have unexploited or underexploited export
potential?
The sectors which have export potential in the Gambia and have been unexploited, inter alia ,
include:  livestock (meat processing and dairy to include milk, butter, cheese, etc.);  horticulture (fruit,
fruit juice processing and tomato juice processing);  fisheries (canning of fish, fish products and othersea food preservation and processing);  agriculture (oil palm processing, groundnut oil processing,
groundnut cake processing for animal feed, groundnut cookies making etc.);  mining (ilmenite for the
manufacture of glass, etc.);  manufacturing (paper, pulp, yarn and synthetic fibre, fishing nets,
mosquito nets, corn flour, millet flour, herbal tea, Arabic Gum, etc).
Sectors that have been underexploited include Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs)
in the area of handicrafts, oil palm processing, groundnut oil processing, groundnut cake processing
for animal feed, groundnut cookies, sesame seed oil, sesame cookies, tool making, honey production
and processing, cloth weaving, garment making, etc.  The problem of underexploitation of SMEs lies
mainly with financing and product development requiring technology transfer and product adaptation.
Other areas that are underexploited include agriculture, i.e. groundnut production, cotton production,etc.
Agriculture
Our potential in agricultural exports, unexploited and underexploited, is in traditional and
non-traditional exports.  Where it is mentioned agriculture (oil palm processing, groundnut oilprocessing, groundnut cake processing for animal feed, groundnut cookies making, etc.) means that
these activities are non-traditional because they involve further processing of agricultural products.
Reflecting again on the question, it became clear that these activities are underexploited because
except for groundnut cookies making, the others have existed before in the Gambia.  Therefore,
except the groundnut cookies making, the rest are underexploited in the Gambia.
Agriculture, i.e. groundnut production, cottons production, etc. are referred to as traditional
exports;  the total arable land for cultivation has been under-utilised.  Therefore this counts also as
underexploited.  Because of the potential the Gambia has in agricultural production there are quite a
lot of activities in the area of processing which are unexploited.  For example, fruit juice processing
and tomato juice processing, honey and jam processing, groundnut and sesame cookies making, cornmeal processing, corn flakes making, etc.
Manufacturing
The different elements under manufacturing also mean that, if cotton production is fully
exploited, the Gambia could be in a position to produce yarn and synthetic fibre, fishing nets and
mosquito nets.
Small and Medium-scale Enterprises
Small and Medium-scale Enterprises mean Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs).  These
enterprises are managed by their owners or part-owners.  They normally have a small share of theWT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 3
market and do not have access to capital.  The meaning expressed implies that because of financial
constraints, these firms lack the ability to develop in terms of meeting the cost of required technology
for improving productivity.  Commercial banks in the Gambia provide credit only on a short-term
basis and the interest rates are very high.  There are quite a large number of firms that produce
products such as handicrafts, clothing, etc.  To elaborate further, there exists a relationship between
SMEs and problems of financing and without adequate financing there is obvious difficulty for SMEsto develop their products to meet the rising changes of world demand or products to adapt to the
requirements of export markets.  The reason why these elements are related to technology transfer is
that without the availability of the technology needed, productivity and competitiveness will be
difficult to improve.
(b) Could you please define your country's pers pective of the reasons for any changes in the
structure and direction of exports and imports?
The reasons attributed for changes in the structure and direction of exports and imports are as
follows:
The problems outlined in (a) above which also associate with quality controls imposed by
export markets (especially in the European Union for groundnut and other exports and in the
United States of America for fish exports) among other factors contribute to the change in the
structure of exports.  In terms of direction, there has not been much change as the Gambia is heavilydependent on its traditional markets.  Quality controls as transparent as they may be, sometimes pose
problems to exports from Least-Developed Countrie s (LDCs) especially the small enterprises which
want to export.  With regards to imports, it should be noted that about 60 per cent of the Gambia's
imports are re-exported to its neighbouring countries.  Since 1993, the Gambia has been facing
changes in its structure of imports due to adverse border restrictions imposed by Senegal as its re-exports to third countries have been affected by the border restrictions.  The direction of imports has
not changed.
Clarification on the last two sentences:
The penultimate sentence is to qualify the extent to which the Gambia depends on imports for
re-export.  Therefore, the closure of the border w ith Senegal would obviously hinder re-exports meant
for third countries such as Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Conakry and even Senegal.  There is no
contradiction in the two sentences.
(c) What have been the objectives of trade po licy in the most recent period, compared to,
say, two decades ago?
The objectives of trade policies in the most recent period, compared to two decades ago has
been trade liberalization.
The objective of trade liberalization is to remove all restrictive and distortive effects to trade
with a view to allowing greater and fairer competition and non-discrimination.
(d) What are the Ministries in charge of trade policy matters, including formulation,
implementation,  enforcement and monitoring?  How is coordination made?  What are the
respective roles of the relevant Ministries (give particular attention to tariff policies and other
policies directly affecting exports and imports of goods and services)?
The Ministry in charge of trade policy matter, including formulation, implementation,
enforcement and monitoring is the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment.
Coordination is made through dissemination of inform ation that relates to other State Departments forWT/COMTD/IF/20
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action.  Respective roles of other State Departments on tariff policies and other policies directly
affecting exports and imports of goods and services are decentralized in the sense that once the policy
is in their respective domains, the responsible Department of State will formulate, implement, enforce
and monitor it but with some degree of consultations with other State Departments that have roles in
exports and import of goods and services.
It is not likely to experience overlapping of activities among institutions because every
institution has a defined function.
(e) How are the private sector and academic in stitutions associated with the formulation
and conduct of trade policy?
As the government considers the private sector its partner in development, the private sector
is closely associated with the formulation and conduct of trade policy.
There are only two State Departments whose roles have a bearing on tariff policies.  They are
the Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs (DSFEA) and the Department of State for
Trade Industry and Employment (DSTIE).  The DSFE A is the custodian of government finances and
any reduction or increases in tariffs must be introduced and defended by Secretary of State for
DSFEA in Cabinet and Parliament.  The DSFEA is al so responsible for coordinating other financial
and macro-economic policies of government.  The DSTIE's role in tariff policy is consultative with
the DSFEA and also in trade policy formulation to propose to the DSFEA tariff reduction for
purposes of encouraging trade in certain commodities.  Other policies of DSTIE relate to formulation
of industrial policies, labour relations and energy policies, etc.  The private sector institution which is
associated with the formulation of trade policy is the Gambia Chamber of Commerce (GCCI).  The
GCCI is associated in the form of consultation wi th government and also its roles in acting as a
medium for transmitting the concerns of the private sector to government.
(f) What are the institutions in your country th at can play a role in implementation of a
trade-related project at the local level?  State their respective roles.
The institutions that play a role in the implementation of a trade-related project at the local
level are:
- The Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment;
- The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
- The Department of State for Agriculture;
- The Department of State for Fisheries and Natural Resources;
- The Department of State for Health;
- The National Environment Agency;- The Department of State for Justice;
- The Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs;
- The Department of Customs and Excise;  and
- The Gambia Ports Authority.
The provision of a description of the roles and functions of all institutions listed in the
Responses to the checklist entails consultation with the relevant institutions in order to provide a more
detailed and precise description of their roles and functions.  Therefore, it is suggested that because oftime constraints, the information is to be provided at a later date.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 5
(g) What are the main laws and regulations de aling with trade policy - on exports and
imports?  Please provide a short description of each.
The main laws and regulations dealing with trad e policy on export and imports are as follows.
There is no single institutional piece of legalisation that deals with imports and exports.
International trade in goods is largely liberal and enjoys very few restrictions in terms of import
licences, quota, etc.  However, trade in certain goods are controlled through specific legislation by theimposition of licences and sometimes conditions for clearing of such goods.  One important
legislation is the Hazardous, Chemical and Pest icide Control and Management Act 1994.  Other
legislation regulates Standard, Measure, Weights and Quality of goods.  The Customs Act also
regulates imports and clearing of goods and gives power to the Secretary of State for Finance and
Economic Affairs to deal with tariff- related matters.  The Development Act, 1988 which was
suspended and the Income Tax Act, 1948 provide investment and income tax relief in some cases.
The setting up of a company or registration of business is under the Ministry of Justice.  TheCompanies Act, 1955 and the Business Registration Act, 1973 govern and regulate the setting up of
business.  There is a Companies Bill, 1997, Business Registration Bill, 1997, Partnership Bill, 1997,
Contract Bill, 1997, Hire Purchase and Finance Bi ll, 1997, Negotiable Instruments Bill, 1997 and Sale
of Goods (Amendment) Bill, 1997.  These Bills are envisaged to become law by December 1997.
They seek to modernise the law in their respective areas.
Other respective laws which relates to trade are:
- Cap.21.01 Arms and Ammunitions
An import ban on fire-arms and ammunitions and supervision on land
(import and export licences required).
- Cap.21.02 Explosives
An Act to control the importation, use and storage of explosives and
to provide for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.
- Cap.32.01 Advertisement Regulations
An act to control the exhibitions of advertisements.
- Cap.32.02 Tobacco Products (Control on Advertisements)
An Act to control advertisements of tobacco products and for matters
connected therewith.
- Cap.32.03 Cinematograph
An Act for the better regulation and control of cinematograph and
similar events.
- Cap.40.01 Medicines
An Act to make provisions for controlling the manufacture, sale and
distribution of medicinal products and other matters connected
therewith.
- Cap.40.02 Dangerous Drugs
An Act to make further and better provision with regards to the
importation, exportation, manufacture, sale and use of dangerousdrugs.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 6
- Cap.58 Plants Importation and Regulation
An Act to make provision with regards to the importation of plants
with a view to preventing the introduction and spread of pests and
diseases affecting vegetation and for purposes connected therewith.
- Cap.59.02 Groundnut (Standard of Quality)
An Act to prescribe a standard of quality for groundnut and toprohibit transactions in groundnuts of inferior quality.
- Cap.60.01 Pesticides Control and Management
An Act to provide the control and management of the use of all
pesticides imported or produced in the Gambia and for other matters
related thereto.
- Cap.62.02 The Gambia Livestock Marketing Board Act
An Act to establish the LMB and to provide for the regulations and
control of marketing import and export from the Gambia of livestock
and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.
- Cap.63 Fisheries Act
See power to restrict the export of fish.
- Cap.65.01 Petroleum
An Act to make provision for regulating the importation conveyance
and storage of petroleum and other inflammable oil and liquids.
- Cap.84 Hides and Skins
An Act to maintain and improve quality of Gambian hides and skins
and for regulating and controlling the trade and export of hides andskins and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- Cap.86.01 Customs (see the list of prohibited imports, pages 82).
- Cap.86.04 Folded Woven Goods
An Act to regulate the importation of folded woven goods.
- Cap.86.05 Importation of Textile (Quota)
An Act to restrict by a quota system the importation of certain textile
manufacture from foreign countries.
- Cap.91.01 Old Metal Dealers
An Act for regulating the business of dealers in old metal.
- Cap.92.01 Licences
An Act to regulate trading and to provide for the licensing of certain
traders, professional and occupation.
- Cap.93.02 Liquor Licenses
An Act to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquor.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 7
- Cap.92.03 Spirits (Distillation and Licensing)
An Act to control the importation and distillation of trade or injurious
spirits.
Legislation concerning trade in services:  Th e same thing applies as in the case of A f).
(h) What are the main instruments of trade policy - on exports and imports?  Please
elaborate (e.g. on import restrictions, the ques tions might be:  on what products are there any
import bans;  on what products are there quantitative import restrictions;  licensing
requirements, etc.;  what is the highest tariff ra te currently in use;  are there any excise taxes,
other "domestic" taxes that are applied differenti ally to imported goods, or to goods of a type
that are principally imported?).
Apart from the trade laws, regulations, controls and licences listed above, there is no major
one.  Quantitative Restrictions (QRs), bans or licensing requirements.  The highest tariff rate is
90 per cent.  There is no excise tax.  There is a sale tax.
Except under the Lomé Convention and ECOWAS, ther e is no other rule of origin criteria in
the Gambia.  As regards customs formalities, there are no pre-shipment agencies in the Gambia.  On
customs valuation, the Gambia applies the Brussels Definition of Valuation (BDV).  There are no
quota, ban on imports or exports of goods.  There are no controls at the border.  The level of the sales
tax is 10 per cent.
(i) In case you are a WTO Member or are in the process of acceding, how is your country
preparing itself to comply  with the WTO Agreements?
In terms of compliance with the WTO Agreements, the Gambia's economic policies are in
line with WTO Agreements.
To a great extent, the Gambia is already complying with the WTO Agreements.  In terms of
implementation of WTO Agreements, the Gambia is on the verge of starting the notification of some
WTO Agreements (this was reported in September 1997).  So far, only the TRIPS Agreement has
been reviewed and the WIPO model legislation whic h complies with TRIPS would be adopted.  There
is no anti-dumping or safeguard legislation in the Gambia.  With respect to compliance, WIPO is
assisting the Department of State for Justice in the area of TRIPS.
(j) What is the state of familiarity with the WTO framework:
- among government and government-related agencies?
- in the private sector?
- Among government and government-related agencies - very low;
- in the private sector - very low.
(k) What are your technical assistance require ments with regard to your compliance with
the WTO Agreements?
In terms of technical assistance requirements with regards to compliance with WTO
Agreements, a WTO/UNCTAD project at the local level is needed.  While the economic policies of
the Gambia comply with the WTO Agreements, techni cal assistance is required within the context of
the entire programme of technical assistance activities of UNCTAD to ensure effective
implementation of the WTO Agreements.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 8
In terms of effective implementation of WTO Agreements, technical assistance is required to
strengthen the human resources and institutional capac ity in foreign trade and to provide the requisite
guidance to ensure effective implementation of the WTO Agreements.
(l) In which specific areas of the WTO Agreements do you have technical assistance needs
(e.g. market access, agriculture, rules (anti-dumping , subsidies, import licensing, rules of origin,
safeguards etc.), TBT and SPS, Services, TRIPs)?
The Gambia requires technical assistance in the following areas:  market access, agriculture,
rules (anti-dumping, subsidies, import licensing, rules of origin, safeguards, etc.), TBT and SPS,
Services and TRIPS.
(m) What is your assessment of your existing trade analysis and negotiating capacities, both
multilateral and bilateral, in areas already co vered by the WTO Agreements and other trade-
related areas, e.g. competition policy and trade and environment?
Our existing trade analysis and negotiating capac ities both multilaterally and bilaterally in the
areas already covered by the WTO Agreements and other trade-related areas such as competition
policy and trade and environment are very weak.
B. OBSTACLES TO TRADE EXPANSION
Obstacles to trade encompassing problems in export markets, infrastructure, human
capacities, institutional bottlenecks, trade financing problems and gaps in trade information caninhibit a least-developed country from taking  full advantage of trading opportunities.
Supply constraints, including institutional bottlenecks
(a) What are the main bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export capacity
of goods and services (e.g. customs facilitation, freight charges, quality management,
elimination of cumbersome legal and administrative procedures, paucity of human skills, accessat international prices to imported inputs, or inadequate telecommunication, port and transport
facilities etc.)?
- Land-locked countries may face additional pr oblems, such as having to ship using costly
or unreliable transport and ports systems.  In case this applies to your country, please
indicate such problems.  What kind of t echnical assistance would help you work out
these problems?
Bottlenecks inhibiting the development of sustained export capacity are as follows:
- Customs facilitation:  having already automated our customs valuation through the
installation of Asycuda, technical assistance is required in terms of support for the
maintenance of the existing system, advisory services and training and thedevelopment of the software.
- Quality management:  technical assistance is required in building up information
technology system to be able to keep track of the requirement of export markets and
also drafting of laws on competition policy and restrictive business practices.WT/COMTD/IF/20
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- Paucity of human resources:  technical assistance needs are required in building up
human resources capacity in the fields of trade policy, trade promotion and trade
information systems.
- Access to international prices to imported inputs:  technical assistance is required in
acquiring and building up an information technology system database to be abreast
with current movements of international prices and market exchange rates.
(b) Are there any institutional bottlenecks, wh ich may impede the efficient conduct of your
country's trade policies?  Provide details. For example, what are the problems perceived by the
different actors, e.g. exporters, producers, service providers (banks, insurance companies,
quality control, transporters etc), professional associations and Ministries?  Are problems
mainly perceived in the area of:
(i) human resources
(ii) management of the institution(iii) financial and material resources
(iv) communication
There are institutional bottlenecks impeding the efficient conduct of the Gambia's trade
policies.  Problems among others, are mainly perceived in the following areas:
- exporters, producers and service providers (banks, insurance companies, quality
control, transporters, etc.) lack the human resources skills in the area of trade policies.
A major problem is the absence of a proper institutional linkage.  A contributory
feature to this problem is that, even though these institutions play a vital role in the
practice of trade, they tend to concentrate wholly on aspects that directly relate to
their major functions exclusively;  and
- at the Ministry or Department of State level, there is a need for the establishment of
effective linkages amongst institutions whose responsibilities relate to trade.
UNCTAD can assist in helping to adapt models of other countries which can be
applicable to the Gambian situation.  In connection with this problem, there is a
problem of human resource, financial and material resources and communicationconstraints in the Trade Division of the Department of State for Trade, Industry and
Employment.
The bottlenecks relating to supply constraints, in the case of the Gambia could be attributable
to economies of scale.  It should be noted that this is one of the major problems inhibiting the
development of micro-enterprises in the Gambia.  With respect to the banking system, as wasmentioned earlier, there is a problem of high interest rates and the terms of lending.  Currently, the
problem experienced relating to marketing is inadequate in cargo space of exports of horticultural
produce and also its high cost.  In terms of production, the bottlenecks currently experienced are the
availability of seeds, fertilizers, inadequate mach ines and the appropriate farming techniques such as
irrigation, boreholes, etc.
As regards B b), the institutions referred to therein are the institutions mentioned in A f) that
play a role in the implementation of trade-related policies.  As regards B c), a further elaboration
could be our inability to come up with appropriate investment policies and the overcoming of certainWT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 10
infra-structural problems such as providing regular supplies of electricity.  It should be noted that the
response to B g), deals with bottlenecks specifically on supply constraints.  As it is mentioned in the
response to the check-list, basically the bottleneck s in terms of supply lie mainly on access to seeds,
appropriate farming techniques, inadequate machines and farming implements and access to finance.
As regards clarification of B h), point A a) above clarifies this point.  To clarify replies to B h) and
B n) relating to the description of our banking system and its instruments (loan system, export credits)point B n) provides the prevailing export credit syst em of only one bank.  The rest of the banks do not
have such a facility.  Loan systems in our banks are short-term, based on the provision of collateral by
the lender.
Interest rates are very high, therefore, it is very difficult to sustain loans for a long-term basis.
As regards clarification to B i), the role of the Department of Trade and Industry for business
opportunities to enterprises is to provide guidance, trade information and to provide the necessary
linkage, based on the enquiries received from overseas for business contacts, between domestic andforeign enterprises.  The role of the private sect or in this area somewhat complements such efforts.
the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry being responsible for this, acts as a close partner
with the government in this regard.  To elaborate on B l), the Trade Division has only three
professional staff.  Only one of them has post-graduate training.  The remaining two have been
experiencing problems of funding to undertake their post-graduate training.  Apart from theseconstraints, the number of personnel required to execute the functions of the trade division of the
Department is inadequate.  Reply to B o) clearly means that there is need for transferring the technical
know-how by putting in place the right institutional structure in terms of managing trade policy and
practices.  As regards clarification of B p), the anticipated roles of the Trade Adviser (TA), inter alia ,
shall complement the inadequate staff problem and lack of the requisite training.  The role of the TAalso includes the requirements of B o).  Please note that the reason why they are separated is because
of the manner in which the questions were presented.  Regarding B r),  s),  t), the situation between
the Gambia and Senegal and third countries are still facing problems in terms of border restriction
being imposed by Senegal on imports into the Gambia that are re-exported to third countries.  In
relation to ECOWAS, the protocols, convention and decisions are yet to be implemented by all theMember States.  The Gambia did not participate in the agreement on GSTP.  It is difficult to measure
any possible erosion of preference.  In order to alleviate this problem, it is important for us to be
provided with the use of effective monitoring of GSP and GSTP.
(c) What are the main bottlenecks to export diversification?
The Gambia's main bottleneck in export diversification among the problems outlined above,
could be related to implementation and designing of appropriate policies.
(d) If investment in the production of goods a nd services is inadequate, what are the main
reasons?  Please elaborate them (e.g. structural co nstraints, difficulties in attracting foreign
investment, limited enterprise development, fi nancing, lack of appropriate technology, etc.)
Investment in the production of goods and services are inadequate due to lack of effective
enterprise development.  There is a need to have assistance in properly focusing the development of
enterprises in terms of a programme under the auspices of UNCTAD.  There is lack of capital toencourage domestic investment and appropriate technology.  Where FDI is present, the problem lies
mainly in the absence of designing of appropriate policies and the effective monitoring of investment
incentives.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 11
(e) Is there a national policy to encourage export-related investment opportunities? Please
elaborate.  What arrangements are in place fo r reviewing, drafting and negotiating contractual
arrangements with foreign investors?
At present there is no policy to encourage export orientated investment opportunities.  An
investment code has already been conceived and drafted but has not been in place yet.
(f) What are the main obstacles to the transfer, development and acquisition of technology?
Is there any national policy/strategy in this area?  Please elaborate.
There is no clear-cut national policy/strategy in terms of transfer, development and
acquisition of technology.
(g) What are your technical assistance or oth er assistance needs with respect to supply
constraints?
With respect to supply constraints, the Gambia's technical assistance needs would be
primarily access to seeds in the production of groundnuts and financial problems.
Trade Promotion and Trade Support Services
Trade promotion comprises an integrated set of technical and financial services to enhance the
global competitiveness of enterprises and thus facilitate their entry and increasing participation in
international trade.
(h) Do your enterprises, especially small and medium enterprises, experience difficulties in
expanding their exports?  What are these problems in the major export sectors?
Our small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) experience difficulties in expanding export
because they experience market imperfection and lack the technology to develop their products to
meet the adapting requirements and competition in export markets.  Our SMEs also lack financing
and the requisite ingredients to enterprise development.
(i) What are the problems for your enterprises in obtaining reliable and up-to-date
information on export/import business opportunities?
The Trade Division of the Department of State for Trade, Industry and Employment currently
experiences inadequate human resources and lack the proper information technologies to effectively
coordinate the dissemination of business information on export/import opportunities.
(j) Can your enterprises offer products of in ternationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging to foreign buyers?  If not, what are the problems?
Our enterprises cannot offer products of internationally acceptable design, quality and
packaging to foreign buyers because of lack of financing of appropriate technology to offer well
finishing for acceptable qualities.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 12
(k) What problems, other than in terms of trade policy, do you anticipate in developing the
export of services (e.g. computer software, tourism)?
The computer software one can anticipate in developing the export services in the Gambia
could be Global Trade Point Network (GTPNet)  and Trade Analysis and Information System
(TRAINS).
(l) What are the technical/professional problems encountered by trade support institutions
(e.g. trade promotion council, chamber of commerce, exporters association, etc.) in your
country in providing their services to export/import enterprises?
The technical/professional problems encountere d by trade support institutions in the Gambia
are as follows:
- human resource constraints (trained personnel);
- lack of financial resources;  and
- lack of equipment such as computers, lap top computers, CD-Roms, coloured printers
and scanners for printing of trade promotional materials, fax machines, photocopying
machines, Internet facilities and mobility.
(m) What problems and deficiencies are experi enced by enterprises in  their international
purchasing and inventory management?
The problems encountered by enterprises in their international purchasing and inventory
management could be related to the absence of the proper advisory services.  The institutional
framework does not cater for advisory services to enterprises in their purchasing and in some respect
lead to certain breaches of contracts on either buyers failing to pay, or suppliers failing to honour
contractual obligations.  There is yet to exist trade associations in the legal and administrative system
of the Gambia to provide advisory services to enterprises.
(n) What are the present availability and arrangements for trade finance facilities (e.g.
export credit guarantees, etc.)?  Are there any perceived deficiencies in this area?
At present, there is trade financing in the area of export guarantee with certain commercial
banks.  Some of these banks provide pre- and post-export finance on the basis of a confirmed Letter of
Credit (LC).  The deficiencies one can perceive would be elements of risk from the reliability of theenterprise which the pre-financing is granted and that the interest rate for operating a financing facility
with these banks is very high (25-27 per cent).  There is no term lending to cater for financing or long-
term investments.
(o) What are the main problems in the way of  improving export/import management skills
of your business enterprises?  Do you have trai ning programmes in the country?  What are the
deficiencies?
The main problem in the way of improving export/import management skills of our business
enterprises is the lack of putting in place the necessary infrastructure and the institutional framework.
There is no in-country training programme on export/import management in the Gambia.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 13
(p) Does your trade representation service actively promote your trade?  What are the
weaknesses?
Our trade promotion service does not actively promote trade due to the lack of required
financial resources.  You will agree with me that in the absence of adequate financial resources, trade
cannot be promoted actively.  Our government is aware that there is a need for allocation in its
budgetary provisions for promotion of trade, but due to budgetary constraints, the governmentprovides only US$10,000 which is not enough to meet our participation in trade fairs, printing of
promotional brochures, etc.  The Trade Division responsible for trade promotion do not have a vehicle
to effectively carry its promotional function.  In addition to these constraints, a need is felt for
UNCTAD to restore a project with an international trade adviser as it used to be in the past.
(q) Briefly describe your technical assistance needs in the area of trade promotion and
support services.
The technical assistance needs for the Gambia on trade promotion and support services can be
viewed as follows:
- assistance in having an export development enterprise project;
- assistance in creating and managing the conditions in which foreign investment and
international business operate;
- assistance in the promotion of entrepreneurship and the development of Small and
Medium-scale Enterprises;
- assistance in service development and trade efficiency;
- assistance in developing, improving and extending a database on trade statistics and
trade control measures.  There is need to put in place the requisite information
technology such as a computer and the relevant softwares, coloured printers withaccessories, scanners, fax machines, Internet services, vehicle(s), etc.;
- assistance to have an international trade adviser in the Gambia;
- we understood that under UNCTAD's technical cooperation programme support for
LDCs, there could be intervention in areas such as Policy Framework for Attracting
Foreign Investments (FORINVEST), Negotiating International BusinessArrangement (TRANSACT), Entrepreneurship and SME Development
(EMPRETREC), Human Resource Development and Enhancement of Capacity
(TRAINRORTRADE) and Trade Analysis a nd Information System (TRAINS).  We
would be interested to have assistance in these areas.
Market access
(r) What are your main market access problems?
In the area of market access, the Gambia has not yet experienced problems or barriers because
of certain underlying problems as mentioned above.  It must be admitted that there are fundamental
problems such as working towards product development and adaptation in the area of SMEs.  It is the
mechanics of tackling these problems that the Gambia is faced with at the moment.  On those areas
such as fish, horticulture and agriculture export, exporters, especially the big ones, are thriving to
meet market requirements of the EU.  The Hazardous  Analysis and Critical Control Project (HACCP)
of the USA has been very difficult to be met by our  exporters, especially fish exporters.  With the
continuing requirements of certain standards by developed countries markets, our small enterprises
aiming to export are bound to face extreme difficulties.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 14
(s) What specific problems or barriers, and in which countries, are most troublesome for
your exporters?
Further responses to question (r) and those to question (s) are included in features in this
outline.
(t) Regional and sub-regional trading arrangem ents (RTAs):  please list RTAs to which
your country belongs.  Are you satisfied with th e performance with these RTAs? Please state the
problems of each.   Do you have suggestions on how to solve these?
The Gambia is a member of a sub-regional trading arrangement called The Trade
Liberalization Scheme of The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).  The
performance of this arrangement is not satisfactory due to lack of implementation of the protocols
governing it by Member States.  Because the problem is implementation-related, solving it could be
difficult.
(u) Are there any problems in utilizing the exis ting market access preferences, such as GSP,
GSTP?   Please state the nature of problems relating to each of these.
Other than the possible erosion of preferences, so far there are no problems in utilizing the
existing market access preferences such as GSP and GSTP for those enterprises that export.  The
problem with a straightforward an swer to this question is the lack of information on GSP and GSTP
and a system of monitoring our utilization of preferences.
(v) What are your technical assistance needs with respect to market access?
The technical assistance needs one can conceive at this juncture could be:  intervention in
effective monitoring of the existing GSP and GSTPs which the Gambia can utilize.
C. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Technical assistance is normally provided to developing and least-developed countries to
build or enhance their human resources and institutional capacities, provide trade information and
trade-related legal support, as well as improve their supply capabilities in order to make them more
active players in the field of multilateral trade.
(a) To the extent this kind of information is easily available, could you please briefly
describe what trade-related assistance you have received over the past five years from bilateraland multilateral sources and what projects/programmes are presently under consideration in
this area?
Apart from the recent assistance from UNCTAD to put in place a trade policy document,
there has not been any assistance received over the past five years.  There was a project "Export
Development Enterprise" under the Swiss grant which was approved but it did not take off due to thechange of government in 1994.  There is extreme need for such a project in the Gambia.  Presently,
there are no projects under consideration.
There is a local consultant already engaged to put in place a trade policy document.  The first
draft has been completed and already sent to UNCTAD for comments and further instructions.  Since
the document was sent to UNCTAD, there has been no further response.  Because of time constraints,
we cannot give more information on the technical assistance provided by the IMF and the World
Bank because it requires consultations with other state departments.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 15
(b) Please summarize your technical assistance needs as well as other needs as reflected in
this check-list.  Please rank them in terms of priority.
In detail and to be more specific, our priority technical assistance needs consist of putting in
place an export enterprise development project;  institutional strengthening and enhancement of
human resource requirements of the Trade Division; and to have an International Trade Advisor.
Perhaps these can come in the form of an integrated programme.
Summary of technical assistance needs in terms of priority:
- An export development enterprise project:
To include:
- training and human resource development;
- trade promotion strategy, expansion (SMEs) and development;
- trade efficiency and building advisory services, vehicle(s) to facilitate
communications with enterprises;
- trade information (provision of fully equipped information technology,
computers and with CD-Rom, laser jet printer/coloured and black and white
scanners, fax machines, Internet facilities, heavy duty photocopying machine,
etc.);
- creating and managing conditions for foreign investment and international
business;
- managing trade control measures;  and
-o t h e r s .
- An International Trade Advisor (ITA):
To include:- follow-up to the implementation of Uruguay Round Agreements;
- GSP and other trade laws;
- trade and environment;
- competition policies and restrictive practices;
- trade policy planning and implementation;  and-o t h e r s .
(c) In the light of the information you have been able to provide so far in response to the
questions in this check-list, what types of information are, in your view, still missing or could be
improved upon?  In order to assist you in providing this missing information, would you need
technical assistance?
We cannot think of any missing information, but would certainly need technical assistance if,
in your view, our responses to the check-list are inadequately dealt with.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 16
(d) Does your country have the technological capacity and human resources to make use of
the new information/ communication technology t ools such as CD-Rom, the Internet etc.?  What
assistance would you need to enable your country to use these tools in the context of training
and, more generally, in the context of trade development?
Our country has very limited technological capacities and human resources to make full use
of the new information/communication technology t ools.  In terms of building on technological
capacities and human resources, we would definitely need assistance in the form of training and the
installation of such equipments in the Trade Division of The Department of Trade, Industry and
Employment, in the context of trade development.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 17
INTEGRATED RESPONSES BY IMF, ITC, UNCTAD,
UNDP, WORLD BANK AND WTO
THE GAMBIA
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A k) :
Technical assistance requirements as
regards compliance with WTO Agreements
1. WTO/UNCTAD project at the local
level is needed.
UNCTAD An UNCTAD mission took place in
April 1997 to identify technical assistanceneeds in trade, investment and enterprisedevelopment.2. Technical assistance is needed within thecontext of the entire Programme ofTechnical Assistance activities ofUNCTAD.
UNCTAD/
UNDPPursuant to this mission, UNCTAD and
UNDP are assisting the Government in
implementing its recommendations on trade,
investment and enterprise development asreflected below.  Work in these areas hasalready begun.
3. In terms of effective implementation ofWTO Agreements, technical assistance is
required to strengthen the human resources
and institutional capacity in foreign tradeand to provide the requisite guidance to
ensure effective implementation of the
WTO Agreements.UNCTAD/
UNDP(WIPO)UNDP will organize a workshop in the
West Africa Region to train government
officials and private sector representatives
and NGOs in policy and rule-making underWTO. (RAF/96/001)
ITC/
UNCTAD/UN
DP(AERC)In addition, based on a synthesis of sectoral
studies, UNDP will organize, in 1998 and
1999, sub-regional seminars andbrainstorming workshops to assist
Government officials in preparing
negotiating positions for future WTOnegotiations. (RAF/96/001)WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 18
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question A(k) (cont.) : WTO 1. With respect to strengthening human
resources the following will be undertakenby the WTO :
- Regional specialized workshops on
specific WTO agreements will be organized
for English-speaking African Least-
Developed countries in 1998 and 1999.
These specialized seminars will be
respectively on market access including
agriculture/textiles, legal and institutionalmatters, environmental issues.
- A three-week trade policy course for
English-speaking Least-Developed countries
(including the Gambia) will be held in 1998
and 1999.
This course will contain a multilateral trade
negotiations simulation exercise and general
training for enhancing negotiating skills.
With respect to implementation of the WTO
Agreements :
- Assistance will be provided to the Gambia
for the notification, drafting/ alignment of itsown legislation to WTO obligations.
-assistance will be provided to strengthen
technical capacities of the Gambia Customs
and Excise to comply with the WTO mattersincluding Customs Valuation Agreement.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 19
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
UNCTAD A country study on the implications of
the WTO Agreements has been
undertaken. It will be made available to
the Government in the first quarter of
1998.In reply to question A l) :
Technical assistance needs as regards
specific WTO Agreements
WTO WTO will provide assistance in each area
indicated hereafter (1998-2000)
Such assistance will consist of a
dissemination of information and training
on each WTO agreement. the Gambiawill benefit from assistance so as to
comply with the provisions of WTO
agreements in particular in terms of terms
of drafting/aligning its legislation to
WTO Agreements.
Whenever appropriate such assistance
will also address WTO notificationrequirements.
1. Market access WTO See above.
2. Agriculture WTO See above.
World Bank In the context of the Structural
Adjustment Loans (SAL I and SAL II)
discussions have taken place on subsidies
and import licenses, resulting in their
elimination.3. Rules
(anti-dumping, subsidies, import licensing,
rules of origin,safeguards, etc.)
WTO See above.
4. TBT WTO See above.
5. SPS WTO See above.
6. Services WTO See above.
7. TRIPS WTO See above.
UNCTAD/
UNDP
(WIPO)See A k)3.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 20
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question A m):
Assessment of the existing trade analysis
and negotiating capacities
UNCTAD/
UNDPPreparation of a draft Trade Policy is under
way on the basis of analysis already
undertaken by a national consultant. SeeA k).
ITC/UNCTAD/UNDP
(AERC)
(WIPO)See A k).Our existing trade analysis and negotiating
capacities both multilaterally and
bilaterally in the areas already covered bythe WTO Agreements and other trade-
related areas such as competition policy
and trade and environment are very weak.
WTO In the three-week trade policy course for
English-speaking least-developed countries(see answer A k)) a multilateral trade
negotiations simulation exercise and
general training for enhancing negotiatingskills will be undertaken.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 21
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B g) :
Technical assistance needs as regards
supply constraints
Technical assistance needs would primarily
be access to seeds in the production of
groundnuts, appropriate farming
techniques, inadequate machine andfarming implements and access to finance.World Bank Technical assistance is provided through
agricultural extension services in thecontext of the Agriculture Services Project.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 22
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B q) :
Technical assistance needs in the area of
trade promotion and support services
ITC A formal request was received from the
Gambia for ITC' needs assessment to
up-date existing draft project, refocus it and
include export finance.  The reformulationexercise will be carried out in early 1998.
*
This will be coordinated with the ongoing
UNCTAD and UNDP activities mentioned
under A k)2 above.
1. Assistance in having an exportdevelopment enterprise projectITC ITC is ready to assist the Government in the
preparation of an enterprise-oriented project
addressing the needs of exporting SMEs.
Consultations are under way (see above) for
a Programme Design Mission which will
cover trade support services as well.This
will be coordinated with the ongoing
UNCTAD and UNDP activities mentionedunder A k)2 above.
World Bank The Trade Gateway Project addressed this
issue, but the project has temporarily been
suspended.
2. Assistance in creating and managing the
conditions in which foreign investment and
international business operateUNCTAD/
UNDPUNCTAD has initiated advising the
Government with respect to formulation of
an investment policy and recommendationfor an investment code.
3. Assistance in the promotion of
entrepreneurship and the development of
Small & Medium-scale EnterprisesITC A number of learning and diagnostic tools,
including practical guides aimed at
improving SMEs export competitiveness
and sustainability will be made available
under the ongoing projects for humanresource development and exportcompetitivity in Africa.
UNCTAD/UNDPWork to support the restructuring of EBAS
(indigenous business advisory services) hasalready started.
                                                     
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 23
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question B q) (cont.)
4. Assistance in service development and
trade efficiencyUNCTAD Assistance will be provided to develop
endogenous national policy-making
capacity in the area of domestic servicesector.
*
ITC The software TOPS on trade opportunities
for ECOWAS member countries and theITC database PC/TAS on trade statistics
will be made available along with
commercial data and information on
horticultural produces (MNS). Additional
support will be included under the newprogramme being discussed.
UNCTAD UNCTAD Data Base on Trade Control
Measures and the dissemination of
information through CD-Rom (TRAINS)will continue to be provided.5. Assistance in developing, improving andextending a database on trade statistics andtrade control measures.  There is a need to
put in place the requisite information
technology such as a computer and the
relevant softwares, coloured printers with
accessories, scanners, fax machine, Internetservices, vehicle(s), etc.
WTO Support in the use of the WTO Integrated
Database is foreseen.  This entails provisionof CD-Roms on the IDB and training for itsuse.
6. Assistance to have an international tradeadviser in the Gambia.
7. We understood that under UNCTAD's
technical cooperation programme support
for Least Developed Countries, there couldbe intervention in the areas such as Policy
Framework for Attracting Foreign
Investments (FORINVEST), Negotiating
International Business Arrangement
(TRANSACT), Entrepreneurship and SMEdevelopment (EMPRETEC), Human
Resource Development and Enhancement
of Capacity (TRAINFORTRADE) and
Trade Analysis and Information System
(TRAINS).  We would be interested tohave assistance in these areas.UNCTAD Some of these activities fall within the
identified areas mentioned under A k)2
above
*.
                                                     
*Funds are requested.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 24
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question B v) :
Technical assistance as regards market
access
Intervention in effective monitoring of the
existing GSP and GSTPs which Gambiacan utilizeUNCTAD The Gambia will benefit of UNCTAD
programmes on the GSP andGSTP.(Additional financing required)WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 25
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C b) :
Summary of technical assistance needs
according to priority
1. An export development enterprise
project.  To include:
a. Training and human resource
development
b. Trade promotion strategy, expansion
(SMEs) and development
c. Trade efficiency and building advisory
services, vehicle(s) to facilitate
communications with enterprises
d. Trade information (provision of fully-
equipped information technology,
computers with CD-ROM, laser jet printers– colour and black & white, scanners, fax
machine, Internet facilities, heavy duty
photocopying machine, etc.)
e. Creating and managing conditions for
foreign investment and international
business
f. Managing trade control measuresITC See B q).
UNCTAD With respect to training and human
resource development (under a), please
refer to A k)2 and B q) above.
World Bank See B q)1.WT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 26
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
Question C b) (cont.) :
2. An International Trade Adviser, to
address issues of:
a. Follow-up to the implementation of
Uruguay Round Agreements
b. GSP and other trade lawsc. Trade and environmentd. Competition policies and restrictive
practices
e. Trade policy planning & implementationWT/COMTD/IF/20
Page 27
Technical assistance needs identified in the
questionnaireOrganization Response
In reply to question C d) :
Technical assistance needs in the area of
information technology including training
of human resources
Our country has very limited technological
capacities and human resources to make
full use of the new
information/communication technology
tools.  In terms of building ontechnological capacities and human
resources, we would definitely need
assistance in the form of training and the
installation of such equipments in the
Trade Division of The Department ofTrade Industry & Employment, in thecontext of trade development.WTO One computer, a printer, a modem and other
accessories will be provided to the Trade
Division of the Department of Trade
Industry & Employment. This includes a
link to the Internet.
Training on access and use of Internet
resources and CD-Roms will also beprovided.
__________