adminPresenting the $4 billion 2012 budget in Parliament on Thursday, the Minister of Finance, Tendai Biti, said the Government was only collecting about 30 percent of revenue because its revenue collection system was not very efficient.
“We have set aside funds for the automation and modernisation of Zimra to revolutionarise the way we collect revenue. At the moment we collect only 30 percent of what we would collect and therefore I propose $18 million for the computerisation exercise,” said Minister Biti.
He said work on the project was already in progress.
Minister Biti said the Government was aware there was a lot of corruption at the country’s main border posts and entry points and Treasury was losing potential revenue as importers evade paying Customs and Excise duty.
He said as such, the Government would recognise Zimra as the only official duty-collecting agent in the country as a way of guarding against further loss of revenue.
“There is corruption at the country’s borders and as such Government is losing a lot of revenue.
“I therefore propose that Zimra should be the only Government collecting agent of all fees at the points of entry,” said Minister Biti.
If automated, Zimra would be able to make a follow up of companies and organisations that evade paying taxes.
Minister Biti said the Government expects growth rate of about 9,4 percent in 2012 and hoped to raise enough revenue to meet its operations.
Online Reporter