Zimra appoints energy officer

Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has appointed a senior tax official to be the liaison officer on energy issues in an effort to ensure the sector plays its optimum role in the economy.
Zimra said it would continue to harness clean sources of energy and implement other notable initiatives in order to improve operational efficiency and move the country forward.

“We are pleased to appoint Mrs Nhlanhla Gumbo as your liaison officer. Mrs Gumbo will therefore be your Zimra contact person on tax and customs matters and will contact you soon,” Zimra said in a statement.

Zimbabwe Energy Council executive director Mr Panganayi Sithole said the Zimra senior official appointed to work closely with the local energy industry came after seeing the potential of the sector and its critical importance in building the domestic economy.

“The main thrust would be to facilitate and assist the energy sector understand and appreciate the various taxes and customs issues as it pertains to them,” said Mr Sithole.

The revenue collector appointed Mrs Gumbo, a taxes and customs veteran, to be the key contact person to avoid delays in resolving tax issues relating to the energy industry.

Mrs Gumbo’s brief will be to facilitate that the energy industry plays its role in the economy without hindrances from Zimra. This will enable both parties to benefit mutually.

Speaking at a recent introductory meeting organised by the Zimbabwe Energy Council, various stakeholders in the energy industry welcomed the partnership initiative as they were having challenges on tax issues such as accessing the zero duty on solar-related products.
Vondex Solar managing director Mr Scott von Memerty expressed hope the various challenges that the energy industry had with Zimra with regards to bonded warehouses and accessing the duty free on solar products will be a thing of the past with a liaison officer.

“Zimbabwe Revenue Authority have a key role in promoting the use of renewable energy in Zimbabwe, we will engage it at all levels to promote the use of quality and proven technologies more so when Zimbabwe is having power shortages,” the Vondex Solar boss said.
Cooking gel producers expressed hope that the 15 percent excise duty levied on cooking gel will be reviewed since there was now a platform for discussion on the issues and many others.

The national revenue collection authority in turn called on members of the energy council to meet their statutory obligations by paying all taxes and customs duties on time.