Martin Endjala
Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) President, Bisey /Uirab has extended a call to the business community to play their part in ensuring compliance with laws, rules and regulations of the industry and those of the country.
This is amidst the NCCI’s ongoing partnership with the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) in ensuring tax compliance by businesses, big and small.
“With NamRA, we have made strides in sensitising businesses on tax compliance and the importance of meeting obligations through initiatives like the ITAS training programme. I am pleased to announce that in 2023 alone, we successfully trained 108 SMEs, and now we look forward to further collaboration this year,” said /Uirab.
He was speaking at the Namibian Annual Budget Dialogue Event that took place in Windhoek this week.
/Uirab stated that the NamRA Tax Amnesty Programme, which will run until 30 October this year, has provided much-needed relief to businesses by waiving interest and penalties.
Adding that the Chamber started negotiating this in 2019, long before the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic.
He applauds NamRA for this initiative, which has eased the financial burdens faced by many businesses. Stating that the tax relief for both individuals and corporations is a step in the right direction.
“By increasing the tax exemption threshold for individuals, we alleviate the burden on lower-income households amidst the challenges posed by escalating inflation.
NCCI reiterates its call on the business community to take note that while they reach out to the government to be accommodative and to support the revival and growth of the economy, they too must also play their part to comply with laws, rules, and regulations,” urged /Uirab.
He advised that the business community should look beyond the tax saving by viewing this programme as an investment in the nation’s young people, as it opens a way to expose them to the real world of business and to help them put theory into practice.
Urging the business community to be mindful of their responsibility as businesses, to meet their tax obligations, by contributing to the development and sustainability of the nation.
“So please, let us give to Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser,” /Uirab said.
As for social development, whilst acknowledging the allocations to the Ministries responsible for education, health and social needs, he argued that much remains to be done.
He said the state of public health facilities, schools, and other educational institutions should give them all discomfort, emphasising that Namibia needs affordable, quality and accessible healthcare services.
“Businesses are urged to be involved in such projects to be fair and reasonable in their pricing practices as a strategy to be competitive,” he alluded.
Additionally, he called on the business community to adhere rigidly to ethical practices and professionalism when it comes to executing public sector tenders.
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