Used Goods Importers to Pay More Tax in Z’bar

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Zanzibar Finance and Economic Development Minister Omar Yussuf Mzee

Zanzibar — Zanzibar is planning to act tough on importation of used goods by raising import duty, the minister responsible for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Omar Yussuf Mzee, said here on Thursday.

He said Zanzibar has been turned into a dumping place, “therefore we need serious measures to control importation of used goods as East African Countries moves towards to digital technology by December this year.” Briefing reporters on development in his ministry since July last year, Minister Mzee said the government was unhappy with the importation of used good particularly electronics and cars.

“Other challenges in the government include shortage of desks in schools and inflation which has gone up from 6.1 per cent in 2010 to 14.7 per cent last year,” he said adding that tax evasion and misuse of tax exemption are other problems in the islands. He said erratic power and water supply as well as ineffective financial regulation were among other challenges.

“Our plans to encounter the challenges include reviewing financial regulations such as the procurement Act and assess projects with tax exemption. “Cheats will have to pay back the exempted amounts,” the minister said. He said his office was working with the ministry responsible for trade on price trends to check inflation.

The minister said Zanzibar government would this year decide on the kind of alternative affordable and sustainable source of electricity to invest in. He listed options as solar, wind, waste, sea waves, gas, and fuel.

The minister said the African Development Bank (AfDB), China and India have shown interest in supporting the development of water supply projects and appealled the media to encourage investments in deep sea fishing, tourism, agriculture and medical services.

He said the Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) has collected 53.4bn/- out of projected 55.3bn/-, while the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) bagged in 41.9bn/- against the 49.4bn/- target for July — December, last year.

By Issa Yussuf, Tanzania Daily News

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