Tourism players in Tanzania are likely to raise their glasses to toast for remarkable earnings this year, thanks to the state for granting them a tax relief in a bid to spur industry growth.
In the 2018/19 budget tabled in parliament on Thursday last week, the Finance Minister, Dr. Phillip Mpango proposed to scrap off import duty on various tourist’s vehicles in an effort to stimulate the development of key sector of the economy.
Njem nlegharị anya bụ nnukwu ego mba ofesi na Tanzania, na-atụnye nkezi $2 gbakwunyere ijeri kwa afọ, nke ya na pasentị 25 nke ego mgbanwe ego niile, ka data gọọmentị na-egosi.
Njem nlegharị anya na-atụnyekwa aka n'ihe karịrị pasentị 17 nke nnukwu ngwaahịa ụlọ nke mba (GPD), na-eke ihe karịrị nde 1.5 ọrụ.
“I propose to amend the fifth schedule of the East African Community – Customs Management Act, 2004 in order to provide import duty exemption on various types of motor vehicles for transportation of tourists” Dr. Mpango tabled before the National Assembly in the country’s capital city of Dodoma.
The vehicles that would be imported duty-free in July 1, 2018 once the amended law comes into force include Motor Cars, Sight Seeing buses and overland trucks, which are imported by, licensed tour operators and must meet specific conditions.
“The objective of this measure is to promote investments in the tourism sector, improve services, create employment and increase Government revenue” he told the ongoing parliament.
Chairman of Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), Wilbard Chambulo was moved by the state to waive the import duty, saying the tax exemption is a sigh of relief to its members, as it will save them $9,727 for each imported tourist vehicle.
“Imagine before this relief some tour operators used to import up to 100 new vehicles at ago and pay $972,700 as import duty alone. Now this money would be invested to expand the company to create more jobs and revenues” Mr Chambulo explained.
It is understood, TATO had fought consistently for this to happen, and now its chief is grateful to the government for being considerate to their consistent scream, terming this move as a win-win deal.
Available records indicate that tour operators in Tanzania are subjected to 37 different taxes, comprising business registration, regulatory licenses fees, entry fees, income taxes and duties for each tourist vehicle per annum, among others.
Onye isi oche TATO rụrụ ụka na ihe na-akpata esemokwu abụghị naanị ka a ga-esi kwụọ ọtụtụ ụtụ isi na irite uru, kamakwa usoro na oge a na-etinye n'ịgbaso ụtụ isi dị mgbagwoju anya.
"Ndị na-eme njem nlegharị anya chọrọ nhazi nke ụtụ isi iji mee ka nrubeisi dị mfe n'ihi na ọnụ ahịa nke nrubeisi dị oke elu ma n'ihi ya ọ na-eme ihe mgbochi maka nkwenye afọ ofufo" Mr Chambulo kọwara.
N'ezie, nnyocha e mere na mpaghara njem nlegharị anya nke Tanzania na-egosi na ibu ọrụ nhazi nke imecha ụtụ akwụkwọ ikike na akwụkwọ nrụnye na-etinye nnukwu ọnụ ahịa n'azụmahịa n'ihe gbasara oge na ego.
Dịka ọmụmaatụ, onye na-ahụ maka njegharị na-etinye ihe karịrị ọnwa anọ iji rụchaa akwụkwọ nhazi, ebe n'ụtụ isi na akwụkwọ ikike na-eri ya ngụkọta nke awa 745 kwa afọ.
Akụkọ nke Tanzania Confederation of Tourism (TCT) na BEST- Dialogue mere, na-egosi na nkezi ego ndị ọrụ na-eri kwa afọ iji mejupụta akwụkwọ nhazi nke onye ọrụ njem nlegharị anya obodo bụ Tsh 2.9 nde ($ 1,300) kwa afọ.
A na-eche Tanzania ka ọ bụrụ ụlọ ihe karịrị ụlọ ọrụ njegharị 1,000, mana data gọọmentị na-egosi na ọ dị ole na ole ụlọ ọrụ 330 na-agbaso usoro ụtụ isi, nke nwere ike ịbụ n'ihi mgbagwoju anya nke nnabata.
Nke a pụtara na enwere ike ịnwe ụlọ ọrụ nlegharị anya akpa akpa 670 na-arụ ọrụ na Tanzania. Ịga site na ụgwọ akwụkwọ ikike kwa afọ nke $2000, ọ pụtara na ụlọ akụ na-atụfu $1.34 nde kwa afọ.
However, the Finance Minister, Dr. Mpango also promised through the budget speech that the government is to introduce a single payment system where businessmen would be paying all taxes under one roof to offer them a hassle-free taxes compliance.
Dr. Mpango also scrapped off the various fees under Occupational, safety and Health Authority (OSHA) such as fees imposed on application form for registration of working places, levies, fines related to fire and rescue equipment, compliance license and consultancy fees of shillings 500,000/- ($222) and 450,000 respectively ($200).
“The Government will continue to review various Levies and Fees imposed by Parastatal Organizations, Institutions and Agencies with a view to improving business and investment environment” the Minister told the Parliament.
TATO CEO, Mr Sirili Akko is optimistic that if the budget would be endorsed by the Parliament and implemented the way it is, it would open up more opportunities for investors who in turn would unlock the tourism potential.
