. Kandeta

By KENNEDY MUPESENI  in Mansa –
THE Government is working on a robust programme to improve cross-border facilitation at all border posts as it intensifies local resource mobilisation.
Ministry of Finance Head – Public Relations, Chileshe Kandeta said the Government was working on a programme with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to improve border facilitation.
“We know that spending a little time at the border delays revenue collection, hence the need to better border facilitations,” he said.
Mr Kandeta said this in a presentation during the private sector business engagement dinner in Mansa at the weekend.
The engagement was attended by Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Micheal Katambo and Luapula Province Minister, Nickson Chilangwa.
Mr Kandeta assured the business community in Luapula that the Government would stick to the budget in 2018 as it always been.
He said measures had been put in place for economic growth under the 2018 national budget.
He took time to clarify on the compulsory Tax Payers Identification Number (TPIN) for bank accountholders.
Mr Kandeta said the introduction of TPIN had no hidden motive but to encourage formal transactions.
Earlier in his presentation on behalf of the business community in Luapula, Luapula Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jonathan Mukabila said the Government should stick to the budget in 2018 to stabilise the economy.
“To control the external debt, the Government should reduce on borrowing but work out measures to increase exports of goods and services to stabilise the foreign exchange market.
“We would like the Ministry of Finance to maintain import cover of not more than three months as envisaged in the 2018 budget to achieve economic stabilisation,” he said.