PITAA Meeting commits to modernisation and collaboration for tax reform
September 21, 2024 4:59 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Ezra Toara.
One of the main outcomes of the 21st Pacific Islands Tax Administrators Association (PITAA) Annual Heads Meeting this week in Port Vila is a commitment from the Department of Customs and Inland Revenue (DCIR) to assess its existing funds with a focus on short, medium, and long-term planning.
The aim is to improve commonwealth realisation at a high level, reflecting the department’s obligations as a country and adopting good practices moving forward.
Acting Director of the DCIR, Mr. Collins Gesa, expressed a desire to transition from manual systems to automation. “In the past, people had to come to the office to conduct their work, but now we want to encourage the use of digitalisation through advanced systems that are sustainable and cost-effective,” he said.
Gesa noted that these changes will support the administration in efficiently managing government revenue while ensuring that Vanuatu remains a safe place for investors, tourists, and local businesses.
He emphasised the importance of embracing technology to drive modernisation and reforms within tax administration.
“The conference provided an agenda for PITAA members to share updates on reforms, challenges faced, and new initiatives. This exchange promotes economic growth and collaboration among member countries,” he said.
“We need to work together with our regional partners to launch initiatives like memoranda of understanding to address cross-border issues related to customs, banking, and taxation.”
Gesa acknowledged the value of sharing expertise within the region, particularly learning from Fiji’s experiences and those of other Pacific countries, as well as from Vanuatu.
The Acting Director stressed the importance of not isolating Vanuatu but engaging with regional and development partners for capacity building, ensuring that the nation continues to benefit from shared resources and best practices.
