Finance Minister underscores importance of new container scanner

MINISTER of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh has reminded the private sector of their obligation in ensuring that they are constantly in compliance with the laws of the country.Speaking at the official launching of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) mobile container scanner, last Monday, he said:“I wish to take advantage of today’s opportunity to call on our private sector partners to remind them of their obligations to bring themselves, constantly, in compliance with the laws of our country and, in particular, with our trade and tax laws.
“Oftentimes, one hears complaints about the time that it takes for a particular transaction to process and I would say that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, when an examination is conducted as to why a particular transaction might have taken a long time to process, one discovers that there may have been issues with the accuracy of the declaration made, the completeness of the submissions made to the GRA which, invariably, would result in queries, would result in additional and closer scrutiny.
“…so, I would say to the trading members of the private sector that the surest way to timely processing of your transactions with the GRA, is you ensuring on your own part that your declarations to the tax authorities are full and complete and accurate if you wish to minimise the risk of queries and of delays,” he advised.
Minister Singh continued: “Whilst I have no doubt that the GRA will continue to make its best efforts to ensure compliance with our trade laws and timely processing of trade transactions, the achievement of full compliance is not an objective that would be met only by efforts on the part of the GRA.”

Most commendable
He affirmed that the GRA’s efforts at mobilising revenue for the country have been most commendable, although there is still much more work to be done.
“I know the Commissioner General is trying his utmost but, once again, I would say that our private sector partners have important obligations in this regard also, to bring themselves in compliance with our laws.”
“This scanner and inspection system represents an extremely important addition to the hardware of our Government and, in particular, of the GRA in ensuring compliance with our laws, in particular, our tax and trade laws and protection of our revenue,” the minister acknowledged.
He said the implementation of the scanner brings Guyana into compliance with international standards and pointed out that some of the country’s major trading partners, including the United States, now require universal scanning of incoming containers.
“The acquisition and implementation of this scanner enables us to be in compliance with those international obligations, therefore prepares and equips Guyana to play its expected and intended role in the international trading system.”
“We would not be able to participate smoothly in international trade if we did not have this capability,” the minister reiterated.
He said, in addition to bringing Guyana into compliance with international standards and placing it at the cutting edge of technology, the scanner represents an important part of “our artillery in ensuring completeness and accuracy of declarations” with respect to exports and imports.
“This is an extremely important part of ensuring the integrity of inward and outward trade and ensuring the integrity of our revenue; ensuring the accuracy and completeness of declarations and, by extension, therefore, the accuracy and completeness of enhancing our revenue collection efforts,” Singh maintained.
He added: “The mobilising of this scanning system represents an important part of the strengthening of the GRA’s capability to discharge its important statutory responsibilities.
“The acquisition and deployment of this scanner, at the very substantial value of US$4.3M, represents the latest manifestation of the highly valued relationship that exists between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China,” Singh confirmed.

(by Priya Ali)