Download The Gambia - Capital High School

KEY FACTS
The Gambia
Official name: Republic of The
Gambia
Head of State: President Yahya
Alphonse Jamus Jebulai Jammeh
(Chairman of APRC) (re-elected 18
Oct 2001)
Head of government: President Yahya
Alphonse Jamus Jebulai Jammeh
SENEGAL
THE GAMBIA
Ruling party: Alliance for Patriotic
Reorientation and Construction
(APRC) (re-elected Jan 2002)
THE GAMBIA
Kau-Ur
Banjul
Sukuta
R. Gambia
Soma
Kerevan
Bintang
Jappeni
Gunjur
Area: 11,295 square km
SENEGAL
Population: 1.42 million (2004)
Georgetown
Basse Fatoto
Santa Su
0
Miles
50
0
Km
80
Capital: Banjul
Official language: English
Currency: Dalasi (D) = 100 butut
Exchange rate: D29.75 per US$ (Jul
2004)
GDP per capita: US$269 (2003)
GDP real growth: 7.40% (2003)
Labour force: 400,000 (2003)
Inflation: 13.00% (2003)
Balance of trade: -US$87.00 million
(2003)
Foreign debt: US$476.00 million
(2003)
Visitor numbers: 80,000 (annually)*
* estimated figure
W
hen independence came to The
Gambia in 1965, there were many
who doubted that Africa’s newest
state would hold on to her status for any
appreciable length of time. The oldest and
most northerly of Britain’s former West
African possessions, The Gambia is surrounded, except on her Atlantic seaboard,
by the bigger and more populous Senegal.
It is said that but for the river the country
would not have existed.
The Gambia is one of the smallest countries in Africa and ranks low on the UN Human Development Index. In July 1994, a
military coup stopped the country’s democratic process until early 1997 when The
Gambia once again returned to constitutional rule following presidential elections.
As one of the most underdeveloped
countries in the world, The Gambia has
been plagued by high unemployment rates
and a drastic decline in tourism; its economy remains dependent on bilateral and
multilateral aid.
Economy
The Gambia’s small agricultural sector
dominates the economy. Employing over
70 per cent of the labour force and heavily
dependent upon external influences such
as world commodity prices and the
weather, the agricultural sector was anything but robust in 2002–03. Not only was
60 per cent of the rice harvest, and 40 per
cent of the maize lost, a vast majority of
cattle also succumbed to the effects of a
season of drought.
Tourism makes a significant contribution
to the economy and attracts most foreign
and domestic investment. Accounting for
more than 12 per cent of GDP, it also provides one of the main sources of foreign
currency. Although the coup d’état in 1994
546
hurt the industry significantly, numbers are
once again back to 1990s levels, with
nearly 80,000 people visiting the country
annually. Around 10,000 Gambians are
employed, either directly or indirectly, in
the tourist industry.
In July 2002, the IMF approved a
three-year agreement under the Poverty
Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF),
totalling US$27 million. In an attempt to
help alleviate The Gambia’s poverty and
infrastructure problems, the EU approved
a eur51 million (US$53.6 million) grant in
March 2003.
Critical IMF
In May 2004 an IMF report accused The
Gambia of misreporting economic data
over 2001–2003. It also accused the government of 'poor execution of monetary
and fiscal policy, reflecting serious deficiencies in governance’. The IMF stated
that 'poverty has increased markedly since
2001, owing to the crop failures of 2002,
rising inflation, and limited provision of
income support and social services’.
The collapse of the groundnut harvest in
2002, and consequent fall in exports in
2003, meant that far from an increase in
GDP growth, there was actually a contraction of growth as high as 3 per cent. On top
of this, the government has been overspending. The budget deficit in 2002, excluding grants, reached 8.1 per cent of
GDP, while in 2003 it was 6 per cent,
against a target of 4.5 per cent. In 2003 inflation almost doubled – to 13.0 per cent
from 7.1 per cent in 2002.
Outlook
The generally unstable region has meant
that displaced people have placed pressure
on neighbouring countries, including The
The Gambia
Gambia. The Gambia continues to struggle economically due to a lack of infrastructure, high levels of poverty and
drought. However, if the political situation within The Gambia remains relatively
calm, the country’s economic situation
may also improve.
Risk assessment
Economic
Political
Regional stability
Poor
Stable
Deteriorating
COUNTRY PROFILE
Historical profile
1455 The Portuguese established trading
stations along the River Gambia.
1889 The boundaries of The Gambia
were agreed by the British and French.
1894 The Gambia became a British
protectorate.
1965 Following independence, Dawda
Jawara, at the head of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), became prime minister, with the British monarch as head of
state.
1970 The Gambia became a republic,
following a referendum. Dawda Jawara
was elected president.
1981 Around 500 people were killed after Senegalese troops intervened to suppress a coup.
1982 Senegal and The Gambia formed a
confederation called Senegambia.
1989 Senegambia collapsed as a
confederation.
1991 The Gambia and Senegal signed a
friendship treaty.
1994 President Jawara was deposed by a
military coup and was replaced by Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh of the Alliance for
Patriotic Reorientation and Construction
(APRC). The 1970 constitution was suspended and all political parties were
banned.
1996 The party ban was lifted in August,
following the promulgation of a new constitution. Jammeh was elected president
by the APRC and the majority of the popular vote – the three main opposition parties abstained from participating in the
elections.
1997 There was a return to civilian rule.
In the National Assembly elections, the
ruling APRC won an absolute majority.
2000 Political tensions were high throughout the year with clashes between members of the APRC and the United
Democratic Party (UDP).
2001 President Jammeh lifted the ban on
the political parties he overthrew in 1994.
He was re-elected. The British Deputy
High Commissioner was expelled for
meeting opposition leaders.
2002 President Jammeh’s ruling APRC
won the parliamentary elections, in which
most APRC candidates were unopposed
and the main opposition party, the centrist
UDP, boycotted the elections.
2003 The government said 2002/03 was
a year of crop failure and food shortage.
2004 In February, President Jammeh announced the discovery of large reserves of
oil.
Main opposition party
United Democratic Party (UDP) is regarded as the main opposition party, although it has boycotted elections. The
People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) is the
only opposition party represented in parliament with three of the 53 seats.
Population
1.42 million (2004)
Ethnic make-up
Three major ethnic groups: Mandinka (42
per cent), Fula (18 per cent), Wolof (16
per cent). Other substantial ethnic
groups: Jola, Serahule, Serere, Manjago,
Bambara, Creole/Aku.
The census of 1993 showed that just over
13.7 per cent of the population came
from other African countries, with nonAfricans (mostly European and Lebanese)
accounting for less than 1 per cent.
Religions
Muslim (90 per cent), Christian (9 per
cent), animist beliefs (1 per cent).
Political structure
Constitution
The constitution was promulgated in
1970, amended in 1982 and 1996.
Form of state
Republic
The executive
Executive power rests with the president,
who is elected by universal suffrage every
five years. The president is both the head
of state and head of government and appoints the cabinet.
National legislature
Legislative power is vested in the unicameral 53-member House of Representatives, comprising 48 members directly
elected for a five-year term and five members appointed by the president.
Last elections
17 January 2002 (parliamentary);
18 October 2001 (presidential).
Results: Parliamentary: President
Jammeh’s ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) won
the parliamentary elections, in which most
APRC candidates were unopposed and
the main opposition party, the centrist
UDP, boycotted the elections.
Presidential: Yahya Alphonse Jamus
Jebulai Jammeh won 53 per cent of the
vote.
Next elections
2006 (presidential); 2007 (parliamentary).
Education
The first nine years are spent in basic
school, which is free of charge; it begins
at aged seven and is non-selective until
aged 15. After this, secondary education
is either vocational or academic. Basic
vocational schools offer two-year courses
and vocational secondary schools provide
four-year courses. General secondary
schools offer a three-year course leading
to higher education provided by either the
University of The Gambia, or Gambia
College which offers courses in agriculture, education, nursing, midwifery, and
public health.
Literacy rate: Adult rates: 38.9 per cent,
male; 31.9 per cent, female (World
Bank).
Compulsory years: None
Enrolment rate: 77 per cent gross primary enrolment; 25 per cent gross secondary enrolment, of relevant age groups
(including repeaters) (World Bank).
Pupils per teacher: 30 in primary schools.
Political parties
Ruling party
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and
Construction (APRC) (re-elected Jan
2002)
KEY INDICATORS
The Gambia
Unit
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
m
1.27
1.31
1.35
1.39
1.40
Gross domestic product
(GDP)
US$bn
Population
0.45
0.42
0.36
0.36
0.38
US$
368
312
253
257
269
GDP real growth
%
5.6
5.6
4.6
4.7
7.4
Inflation
%
3.8
0.9
4.3
7.1
13.0
Exports (fob) (goods)
US$m
120.0
133.0
146.0
160.0
138.0
Imports (fob) (goods)
US$m
194.0
202.0
216.0
252.0
225.0
Balance of trade
US$m
-74.0
-69.0
-70.0
-90.0
-87.0
per US$
11.40
12.79
16.47
19.91
25.95
GDP per capita
Exchange rate
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Nations of the World: A Political, Economic and Business Handbook
Health
Annual government spending is around
49 per cent, and foreign spending 27 per
cent, of the total expenditure on health,
which is approximately 6 per cent of GDP.
Improved water sources are available to
62 per cent of the population. Around 90
per cent of children are immunised
against measles.
HIV/Aids
With HIV/Aids infection rates at around 1
per cent of the total population, The
Gambia has so far escaped much of the
African pandemic. However, with 14 per
cent of sex workers testing positive, there
is a chance that the infection could
spread.
Life expectancy: 53.4 years (World
Bank).
Fertility rate/Maternal mortality rate:
4.8 births per woman; maternal mortality
1,100 per 100,000 live births (World
Bank).
Infant mortality rate: 91 per 1,000 live
births (World Bank).
Head of population per physician/
bed: 0.03 physicians and 0.6 hospital
beds per 1,000 people.
Welfare
The Gambia has two important funds, the
social security fund and the housing finance fund, that receive contributions from
employers and employees either directly or
indirectly. The Department of Social Welfare in Banjul has been restructured with
four major units covering child care, adult,
elderly and disabled services. The Gambia
government and the Social Security and
Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) initiated mass housing projects including a
rural electrification programme covering all
major towns and villages.
Main cities
Banjul (capital, estimated population
46,700 in 2003), Serekunda (344,100),
Bakau (82,300), Brikama (80,400).
Languages spoken
Mandinka, Wolof and Fula are local languages. French is taught in some secondary and high schools. German, Italian,
Dutch and the Scandinavian languages
are also spoken by tourism staff.
Official language/s
English
Media
Press
Dailies: Daily newspapers include Daily
Observer and The Gambia Daily.
Weeklies: Main weekly newspapers are
Weekend Observer, New Citizen (formerly
Newsmonth) and a bi-weekly publication,
The Point.
Business: Business information is covered
by Business Weekly, a weekly publication
548
by The Gambia Communication Agency
and Baroueli Enterprises.
Periodicals: Periodicals include Gamco-op
News (quarterly), Gambia Times (monthly)
and The Nation (irregular).
Broadcasting
Radio: Radio Gambia, a government
non-commercial station, operates 19
hours daily in English and Gambian languages. The commercial station, Radio
Syd, also broadcasts in English, French
and African languages, and provides tourist information in German and Swedish.
Television: Senegalese transmissions are
received.
Economy
The Gambia is classified by the World
Bank as a low-income country. Although
relatively stable, the country is susceptible
to political and social tensions in the region. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries remain the dominant sectors of the
economy and have grown as a proportion
of GDP, reflecting the country’s industrial
stagnation. The economy depends almost
entirely on the cultivation and export of
groundnuts in the form of nuts, oil and
cattle cake. The Gambia experienced
strong growth in 2003 – GDP real
growth stood at 7.4 per cent.
The general policy is to diversify and
broaden the productive base of the economy and foster economic growth and development. The Economic Recovery
Programme (ERP) includes institutional reform, price liberalisation and the adoption
of a flexible exchange rate regime. There
is potential for tourism and re-exports, but
political instability and poor infrastructure
have hampered the development of these
sectors. President Yahya Jammeh announced in February 2004 that large reserves of oil were discovered. This could
assist the country’s development if these
reserves are found to be commercially
viable.
In December 2000, the IMF and World
Bank agreed to support a US$67 million
debt-reduction package under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
(HIPC) Initiative. This will be worth a total
of US$91 million over 20 years. It is envisaged that external debt service as a
percentage of goods and tourism income
will fall from more than 11 per cent in
2000 to around 6 per cent by 2010 as a
result of HIPC. The ratio of the total net
present value of debt to exports is scheduled to fall from about 206 per cent in
2000 to under 130 per cent in 2010 and
about 120 per cent in 2010–20.
Because the four fiscal targets set for
2002 had not been attained by the Economic Community for East African States
(Ecowas) members, Ghana, The Gambia,
Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, the
planned launch of a common currency for
these five countries was postponed from 1
January 2003 to 1 July 2005.
External trade
Banjul is an important transit trade centre.
On 31 December 2002, the US approved
The Gambia as being eligible for tariff
preferences under the African Growth and
Opportunities Act (AGOA). The legislation
requires that countries are only eligible for
greater access to US markets provided
they have made continued progress toward a market-based economy, the rule
of law, free trade, poverty reduction and
the protection of workers’ rights. This process is reviewed annually.
Imports
Principal imports are food, live animals,
beverages, basic manufactures, machinery and transport equipment, mineral fuels, energy. Imports which support transit
trade are estimated at 34 per cent of total
imports.
Main sources: China (21.9 per cent of
2002 total), Senegal (9.0 per cent), Brazil
(7.8 per cent), UK (6.6 per cent), The
Netherlands (5.4 per cent).
Exports
Principal exports are groundnuts (typically
85 per cent of total) and fish. Minor exports include horticultural products, cattle,
hides and skins.
Main destinations: France (21.8 per
cent of 2002 total), UK (18.9 per cent),
Malaysia (11.9 per cent), Italy (11.0 per
cent), Germany (7.5 per cent).
Agriculture
Agriculture remains the main sector of the
economy, typically contributing 30 per
cent to GDP and employing over 70 per
cent of the workforce.
Approximately 17 per cent of the total
land area is cultivated. Groundnuts are
cultivated on about 60 per cent of the
planted area, and provide 85 per cent of
official export earnings. The Gambia is
the second-largest producer of groundnuts in the world, after Senegal. Production of food crops (rice, maize, millet,
sorghum, cassava) is insufficient to meet
local needs, but receives a great deal of
official encouragement. Small-scale fruit
and cotton farming are also important
while some livestock is exported to neighbouring countries for breeding.
The government, backed by international
development agencies and donors, is attempting to increase agricultural production. The on-going US$2.5 million
Lowlands Agricultural Development Project (LADEP) is aimed at developing 6,000
hectares for cultivation and the rehabilitation of 1,500 hectares in various lowland
ecologies. US$2 million has been allocated to assist women’s groups engaged
in sheep, goat and poultry production
The Gambia
while US$1.5 million is dedicated to an
integrated rural development scheme.
The estimated crop production in 2003
included: 170,000 metric tonnes (mt) cereals in total, 25,000mt maize, 7,500mt
cassava, potatoes, 25,000mt sorghum,
20,500mt rice, 3,200mt pulses, 7,500mt
roots and tubers, 26,847mt oilcrops,
130mt cotton lint, 100,00mt millet,
35,000mt oil palm fruit, 4,160mt fruit in
total, 9,000mt vegetables in total. Estimated livestock production included:
6,872mt meat in total, 3,180mt beef,
440mt pig-meat, 1,122mt lamb and goat
meat, 1,130mt poultry, 731mt eggs,
7,648mt milk, 371mt cattle hides,
1,000mt game meat.
Fishing
Fishing has also increased in importance
with the annual catch rising to over
22,000 tonnes. The government, with assistance from the UN Development
Programme (UNDP), is encouraging improved methods and modernisation of
boats. Illegal fishing by foreign trawler
fleets remains a problem.
Industry and manufacturing
The industrial sector contributes around 6
per cent to GDP and employs 4 per cent
of the workforce.
The manufacturing sector is small-scale
and underdeveloped.
The main activities (most of which are
centred around Banjul, particularly in the
Kanifing Industrial Estate) include groundnut and fish processing, brewing, footwear, perfume, cement and brick
production.
Tourism
The tourism sector is strong. It attracts an
increasing number of Europeans, of
whom between 50–60 per cent are British. Tourist arrivals increased by 8.48 per
cent in 2003, compared to 2002.
Environment
Concerns are mounting over the ecological effects of tourism on the local environment, particularly shore erosion and the
depletion of water resources.
Mining
Most mining activity is centred on the production of industrial minerals for local
consumption. The Australian Carnegie
Corporation is investigating the Brufut deposits located along the coast and around
11,000 tonnes of zircon has been found.
There are known deposits of kaolin, tin,
ilmenite and rutile, mostly unexploited.
Hydrocarbons
The downstream market has a total consumption of around 75,000 tonnes per
annum. The downstream industry is reliant
on imported petroleum products, importing 1,940 barrels per day. In February
2004, President Jammeh announced the
discovery of large reserves of oil, both onshore and offshore.
The Gambia does not produce or import
gas.
Energy
There is total dependence on imported
petroleum. Fuelwood is the main source
of domestic energy. Hydroelectric resources are being developed on the River
Gambia.
Banking and insurance
The banking sector is underdeveloped,
but is growing as a result of increased
economic activity and macroeconomic
stability. The sector has seen consolidation, with two large mergers and
privatisations.
Central bank
Central Bank of The Gambia
Main financial centre
Banjul
Time
GMT
Geography
The Gambia is a narrow territory around
the River Gambia on the west coast of Africa. The country has a short coastline on
the Atlantic Ocean but is otherwise surrounded by Senegal.
Climate
Sub-tropical with distinct dry and rainy
seasons. Dry season from November–May
with average temperatures around 21–27
degrees Celsius (C). The dry Harmattan
wind keeps the humidity low. Rainy season
from June–October with high humidity
and average temperatures around 26–32
degrees C.
Entry requirements
Passports
Required by all. Passports must be valid
for three months from date of return.
Visa
Required by all, except citizens of countries with reciprocating visa-free entry for
both tourism and business, (UK 30 days,
others 90 days). For further datails contact
the nearest embassy for confirmation. All
visitors must have onward/return tickets.
Currency advice/regulations
No restrictions on import or export of local and most foreign currency, although a
declaration form must be completed on
arrival. Exceptions: currency from Algeria,
Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria,
Sierra Leone and Tunisia will not be accepted and cannot be exchanged.
Health (for visitors)
Mandatory precautions
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if travelling from an infected
area.
Advisable precautions
Yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and polio vaccinations are recommended. Malaria prophylaxis should be taken as risk
exists throughout the country. There is a
rabies risk.
In the Banjul and Fajara area, the water
supply is fed from deep bore holes and is
considered safe to drink. Bottled water is
available from all hotels and most supermarkets. Water precautions are necessary
outside these areas.
Hotels
Book well in advance, especially if arriving
during tourist season (Nov–May). Many
Gambian hotels are geared to package
holidays. 10 per cent tip is usual.
Credit cards
Limited acceptance of credit cards. American Express is normally accepted in most
hotels but this must be arranged at the
beginning of your stay with the hotel
management.
Public holidays
Fixed dates
1 Jan (New Year’s Day), 18 Feb (Independence Day), 15 Sep (St Mary’s Day),
25 Dec (Christmas Day).
Variable dates
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid al Fitr,
Eid al Kabir (Eid al Adha), Ashura, Maulid
al Nabi.
Working hours
Banking
Mon–Thu: 0800–1330; Fri: 0800–1100.
Business
Mon–Thu: 0800–1600; Fri: 0800–1230.
Government
Mon–Thu: 0800–1600; Fri: 0800–1230.
Shops
Mon–Thu: 0900–1200, 1400–1700;
(Fri–Sat) 0900–1300.
Telecommunications
Telephone/fax
Twenty-four-hour service.
Electricity supply
220V AC, 50 cycles.
Social customs/useful tips
Handshaking is widely used as a form of
greeting, whereas 'Salam alaikum’ is the
traditional greeting.
Many Gambians are Muslim and their religious customs and beliefs should be
respected.
Getting there
Air
National airline: Gambia Airways.
International airport/s: Banjul-Bia International (Yundum International) (Code:
BJL), 24km from city; bar, bank, post office, shop.
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Nations of the World: A Political, Economic and Business Handbook
Airport tax: International departures
D150; not applicable to transit
passengers.
Surface
Road: Road access to Banjul is possible
from Dakar (Senegal), by the TransGambia Highway which crosses the River
Gambia by ferry between Farafenni and
Mansa Konko. There is an alternative car
ferry crossing between Barra and Banjul.
Government buses run between The
Gambia and Senegal, via Barra, to
Koalack and Dakar; there is also a
high-class Gambian coach service.
Getting about
National transport
Road: Approximately 3,000km of roads,
of which 450km are paved. Roads in and
around Banjul are mostly bituminised, but
unsealed roads often become impassable
in the summer season.
Highways run along each bank of the
River Gambia; the Trans-Gambia highway
runs north to south, crossing the river at
Farafenni-Mansa Konko (car ferry); other
inland roads may become impassable in
the rainy season.
Take care because of the lack of adequate traffic signs.
Buses: The Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC) operates cheap and reliable services linking Banjul with the
coastal hotel area and other main centres.
There are several commercial bus services,
such as Amdalaye and Transgambia
services.
Water: There are nearly a dozen ferry
crossing points where people, livestock
and vehicles cross the river. The
Banjul-Barra ferry runs every 90 minutes
(journey time 20–30 minutes) and there
are small wooden ferries up-country which
carry only three or four vehicles at a time.
A boat travels from Banjul to Basse once
a week. The journey takes about three
days. It is possible to return overland by
coach.
City transport
Taxis: Green (Tourist) Taxis have a diamond sign and a serial number on the
side. They are licensed by the Gambia
Tourism Authority and dedicated to serving tourists and other visitors. They are
normally parked outside the hotels in the
resort areas.
Yellow and Green taxis are mainly fourpassenger saloon cars which run a shared
taxi service between short distances or
park by the roadside for individual hire.
The most common way of travelling is by
Collective 'Bush’ Taxis. These are mainly
seven-passenger saloon cars, vans, minibuses and buses. They do not have a
550
single colour and they operate a shared
service between both short and long
distances.
It is advisable to agree the fare in advance when hiring collective taxis.
A 10 per cent tip is usual.
The journey from the international airport
to the city centre takes 30–40 minutes.
Car hire
International driving licence accepted for
a period of three months. National licence
can be used for a short visit. Traffic drives
on the right.
Car hire facilities are somewhat limited
and local enquiries (eg to Tourist Office
(tel: 229-563, 227-881/3) are advised.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
The addresses listed below are a selection
only. While World of Information makes
every endeavour to check these addresses, we cannot guarantee that
changes have not been made, especially
to telephone numbers and area codes.
We would welcome any corrections.
Telephone area codes
The international dialling code (IDD) for
The Gambia is + 220 followed by subscriber’s number.
Useful telephone numbers
Police: 17
Fire: 18
Ambulance: 16 or 18 (Banjul)
Travel information
Banjul (Yundum) International Airport, PO
Box 285, Banjul (tel: 473-000; fax:
472-190).
Gambia Airways, PO Box 268, 68-69
Wellington Street, Banjul (tel: 226-733,
227-778/9, 226-347; fax: 229-339).
Ministry of tourism
Department of State for Tourism and Culture, The Quadrangle, Banjul (tel:
229-563, 223-210; fax: 227-753;
internet site:
http://www.gambiatourism.info).
Ministries
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR), The Quadrangle, Banjul
(tel: 472-888; fax: 237-034).
Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs,
The Quadrangle, Banjul (tel: 227-221;
fax: 227-954).
Other useful addresses
Central Statistics Office, Central Bank
Building, Buckle Street, Banjul (tel:
228-105).
Gambia Embassy (USA), Suite 1000,
1155 15th Street, NW, Washington DC
20005 (tel: 202-785-1399; fax:
202-785-1430).
Gambia Hotel Association, c/o The Bungalow Beach Hotel, PO Box 2637,
Serrekunda (tel: 465-288; fax: 466-180).
Chambers of Commerce
Gambia Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 1-3 Ecowas Avenue, PO Box 333,
Banjul (tel: 227-765; fax: 229-671;
e-mail: [email protected]).
Gambia Investment Promotion and Free
Zones Agency (GIPFZA), 5 Nelson
Mandela Street, PO Box 757, Banjul (tel:
222-412, 222-836; fax: 222-829;
e-mail: [email protected];
[email protected]).
Banking
Arab Gambian Islamic Bank Ltd, 7
Ecowas Avenue, Banjul (tel: 223-773;
fax: 223-770).
National Investment Promotion Authority
(NIPA), Independence Drive, Banjul (tel:
228-332; fax: 229-220).
First International Bank Ltd, PO Box 1997,
6 OAU Boulevard, Banjul (tel:
202-000/5; fax: 202-001, 202-000).
International Bank for Commerce (Gambia) Ltd, PO Box 211, 11a Liberation Avenue, Banjul (tel: 228-144, 228-145; fax:
229-312).
Standard Chartered Bank Gambia Ltd,
PO Box 259, 8 Ecowas Avenue, Banjul
(tel: 228-681/4; fax: 227-714).
Trust Bank Limited (TBL), PO Box 1018,
3-4 Ecowas Avenue, Banjul (tel: 225-777,
225-778/9; fax: 225-781).
Central bank
Central Bank of The Gambia, 1-2 Ecowas
Avenue, Banjul (tel: 228-103; fax:
226-969).
Internet sites
Africa Business Network:
http://www.ifc.org/abn
AllAfrica.com: http://allafrica.com
African Development Bank:
http://www.afdb.org
Africa Online:
http://www.africaonline.com
Mbendi AfroPaedia (information on companies, countries, industries and stock exchanges in Africa): http://mbendi.co.za
The Gambia: http://www.gambia.com
The Gambia Tourism Authority:
http://www.visitthegambia.gm