GIEPA Convenes Stakeholder Workshop to Strengthen Compliance and Management of Investment Incentives

The Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) today convened a one-day stakeholder workshop aimed at enhancing compliance, coordination, and effective monitoring of investment incentives granted under the GIEPA Act 2015 and its associated regulations.

The workshop brought together beneficiaries of GiEPA’s incentive schemes, including Special Investment Certificate (SIC) holders and Export Processing Zone License (EPZL) holders, as well as representatives from key government institutions and private sector organizations. The engagement forms part of GiEPA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the administration of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that support investment promotion, export development, and economic growth in The Gambia.

The workshop focused on several critical areas, including:

• Compliance with incentive conditions and obligations;
• Understanding regulatory and statutory requirements;
• Strengthening coordination among stakeholders, including GIEPA, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs authorities, and investors; and
• Improving monitoring, reporting, and accountability mechanisms.

Delivering the welcoming remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of GIEPA highlighted the significance of the workshop in promoting a shared understanding of the incentive framework among stakeholders. The CEO emphasized that the forum would provide an opportunity for SIC and EPZL holders to engage directly with relevant institutions, clarify compliance requirements, and strengthen collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of investment incentive programmes.

Officially opening the workshop, the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment underscored the importance of investment incentives in advancing the Government's economic development agenda. The Minister encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, exchange experiences, and make full use of the interactive sessions to address challenges and identify practical solutions for improving compliance and coordination.

The workshop featured presentations from a range of key stakeholder institutions and organizations, including the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, the Bankers Association of The Gambia, the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Ministry of Petroleum, and GIEPA. Presenters shared insights on regulatory compliance, tax and customs procedures, legal requirements, sector-specific considerations, and reporting obligations related to the administration and utilization of investment incentives.

The interactive discussions provided a valuable platform for dialogue between investors, policymakers, regulators, and implementing agencies, enabling participants to raise concerns, seek clarifications, and contribute recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and transparency of the incentive regime.

GIEPA remains committed to fostering a conducive investment environment through enhanced stakeholder engagement, improved compliance mechanisms, and stronger institutional coordination. The Agency believes that sustained collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to maximizing the developmental impact of investment incentives and supporting sustainable economic growth and export competitiveness in The Gambia.