XIV. REVENUE AND BUDGETARY MEASURES FOR 2004.

Mr. Speaker Sir,

191. I now come to the portion of my Budget Speech that, I am sure, has been eagerly awaited by you and the Members of this august Assembly. Perhaps, you may be a little disappointed in that there are no startling or controversial proposals, but sensible and practical measures that would focus essentially on an outcome of better revenue enforcement. Let me say at the outset that the Government is not contemplating an adjustment of tax rates, be they direct or indirect, but rather, on an improved enforcement of our existing taxes, to ensure equity among taxpayers and to ensure that all monies due to government are fully and quickly brought to account. The Government has also tried to ensure a reasonable adjustment of user fees and charges, long overdue, so that the benefits of the services provided by the Government are borne directly by the user.

1. Fees and Charges

   a. Raise the charges on domestic and foreign postal transactions by an average of 30 percent.

   b. Increase firearms and game licenses, driving licenses and ordinary number plates, and general dealers' licenses to more realistic levels.

   c. An upward adjustment in the license fees and the road tax on commercial passenger and goods vehicles.

   d. An adjustment in the land rent and survey fees of different categories of property, depending on whether they are for commercial/industrial, or tourism development (residential or hotels) purposes.

   e. The adjustment of registration fees and charges for foreign and local fishing vessels depending on their category.

   f. An upward adjustment in the processing fees and charges on customs documents by 0.5 percentage points.

A Gazette Notification will be issued in the course of next week detailing the fees and charges in respect of specific categories.

2. Petroleum Products

Government has decided to adjustment of the pump price of PMS by D 3.00. Despite the increased cost of petroleum products, and mindful of the impact on the trade, transport and household sectors, the price of kerosene and diesel fuel will remain unchanged for the moment

3. Arrears and Enforcement

   Considerable effort will be devoted to collecting arrears due to the Customs and Excise Departments, particularly in respect of direct deliveries and under declarations.

   The creation of a Revenue Authority in 2004 will usher in a new business culture. This, together with more rational performance incentives, is expected to improve enforcement and revenue collections over the year.

4. Land Sales

   The government has identified for sale, land at the Coastal Layout and Bijjilo Annex. The properties identified will be sold at competitive prices.

5. Non-Tax Revenue

   The Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs intends discussing with the Asset Management and Recovery Corporation, and the Central Bank of the Gambia to make contributions to the Treasury from their profits for the year.

6. Excise duties
   
   Mr. Speaker Sir,

   The National Assembly Members would be pleased to be informed, that, the Government has decided, effective January 1, 2004, to abolish the excise duty on domestically produced bottled water and soft drinks. This measure would enhance the competitiveness of local products, and provide manufacturers with a much-needed respite from the recent escalation in costs.

7. Wage, Salary and Pension Adjustment

   Mr. Speaker Sir,

Finally, effective January 2004, there will be a 10 percent increase in the salaries, wages and pensions of all civil servants and government sub-vented institutions.

-end.