Maravi

'Effect clearing systems to enhance Zambia's trade ties'

'Effect clearing systems to enhance Zambia's trade ties'
By Joan Chirwa
Monday August 06, 2007 [04:00]

ZAMBIA Revenue Authority (ZRA) has said the effective implementation of its clearing systems would supplement the existing trade relations between Zambia and its neighbouring countries. ZRA commissioner for customs services Muyangwa Muyangwa said the high levels of trade between Zambia and other countries in the region needed increased participation of all stakeholders.

“Zambia is experiencing an inflow of trade and investments and as ZRA, we don’t want to hinder trade but we want to be part of the trade facilitation process,” said Muyangwa at a quarterly media briefing held in Lusaka last Friday.

Muyangwa further said ZRA worked towards establishing strong systems that would avoid leakages of government revenue. He said the revenue-collection agency was concerned with the unaccountability of government resources and hoped the trend could change if strict compliance measures were put in place in different institutions.

Muyangwa said the authority’s implementation of the automated system for customs data (Asycuda) had enhanced operations at most border posts around the country.

“We are also working on risk management and compliance management systems. The main reason for this is to ensure we have an environment which aims at simplifying processes,” said Muyangwa.

And commissioner for domestic taxes Wisdom Nhekairo said the authority had encountered numerous difficulties in the collection of presumptive tax from towns along the line of rail because most of the business transactions were done in undesignated areas.

Labels: ASYCUDA, PAYMENT SYSTEMS, REGIONALISM, TRADE, ZRA

posted by MrK @ 3:42 AM