The newly established Gambia Revenue Authority, GRA, has got up with a fiery start by collecting over D300M revenue for The Gambia Government, according to reports reaching the Daily Observer.

This amount represents January 2007, being the first month for the authority to start its fullest operations.

According to reports, the amount exceeds the target set by the Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs (DoSFEA) as the authorities line Department of State for both the two divisions of the authority; namely Customs and Income Tax.

The target set by DoSFEA for Customs Division is D140M, but it collects over D165M, while Income Tax Division stands at D120M, collecting over D137M.

Analysts observed that this remarkable achievement by the newly-formed body will impact positively on the country’s tax-oriented economy and will be highly welcome by multilateral financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank as the main aim of setting up the authority was meant to boost up government’s revenue collection.

Reports pointed out that this achievement by the country’s main revenue collecting body is attributed to the support of the Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs (DoSFEA).

All efforts to speak to the head of the authority to shed more light on the story, proved unsuccessful as he is reported to be busy on a trek with members of GRA Board of Directors.