The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has continued to professionally discharge its responsibility and prove its mettle as it has collected a whopping 9.478 billion dalasis in just seven months by end-July 2023, a statement by the Authority has said.

GRA under the dynamic leadership of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe was tasked to collect an overall annual revenue target of D15.208 billion in 2023. “As at end July 2023 the Authority collected D9.478 billion, which represented 62% of the annual revenue target,” the statement said.

The performance of GRA as at end July 2023 represented 5 percent or D426.52 million above their revenue target of D9.052 billion for the period (Jan – July 2023).

The Authority also registered an unprecedented collection in July 2023, having collected D1.597 billion, making it the highest single month total revenue collection since the creation of GRA.

“This revenue collection performance for July 2023, exceeded the D1.279 billion revenue target for the month by a whopping 25% or D318.07 million,” the statement explained.

In confirming the statement, Commissioner General Darboe explained that GRA was given a monthly revenue target of (D1.279billion) for the month of July 2023 but due to the hard work, commitment, and collective efforts by the staff and management of GRA, the Authority collected almost D1.6 billion in a single month thus exceeding the previous record of D1.593 billion set in March 2023.

The Commissioner General reiterated his recognition of the positive impact of the ASYCUDA WORLD implementation on international trade receipts, the reduction of subsidies granted on fuel and the improvements in revenue administration, such as increased taxpayer education, audit coverage, data matching and enforcement among other factors.

CG Darboe, an exemplary leader with sound foresight, also praised the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, as well as development partners for their support and collaboration to realising the GRA and Gambia dream.

He also showered praises on other stakeholders, such as businesses and the taxpaying population, for their compliance, calling on the rest to emulate them for national development.

Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh