By Akinyi Winiefred
Heads of East African Revenue Authorities have agreed to automate processes through the use of state of the art to track technology to combat smuggling and illicit trade.
This was agreed upon during the 51st East African Revenue Authorities Commissioner General (EARACG) meeting that was hosted in Dar es Salaam from January 22 to 23 by the Tanzania Revenue Authority.
EARACG is a biannual meeting that allows tax heads from across the region to share experiences and address common challenges facing tax administrations in the region.
This year’s meeting was held under the theme “Harnessing Regional Synergy to Optimize Revenue for Sustainable Development.” It was attended by Commissioners General from the Uganda Revenue Authority, Tanzania Revenue Authority, Burundais des Recettes, South Sudan Revenue Authority, Zanzibar Revenue Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority and the Rwanda Revenue Authority.
It was chaired by the Commissioner General of Tanzania Revenue Authority, Mr. Alphayo J. Kidata, who reminded the participants that the major goal for the formation of the EARACG forum is to attain harmonized, standardized, and integrated tax administration systems among partner states in the region.
This aims to foster competitiveness, avoid harmful tax competition and contribute to the sustainability of public finances and eventually economic growth in the region.
He stated that it is the role of the EARACGs to advise best policy options to their respective Governments and implement tax measures that will optimize revenue for sustainable development of the EAC partner states.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Natu El-maamry Mwamba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of the United Republic of Tanzania called upon the Revenue Administrations to enhance collaboration on enforcement and revenue collection operations across the region to support economic development for the benefit of regional citizens.
She encouraged the CGs to come out with resolutions on specific areas that will generate more revenue in a sustainable way. These include sharing of best experiences and how to address common challenges facing tax administrations in the region to optimize revenue, enhancing the development of innovative technologies to sustainably facilitate taxpayer compliance and enhancing tax compliance through existing tax laws, and harmonizing tax laws and procedures among others.
Meanwhile, the Revenue Authorities also agreed to conduct an in-depth analysis to identify the causes of smuggling and concrete practical solutions to be presented at the next meeting. This is to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in August.
