GATSIBO - The Minister of Finance and Economic planning, John Rwangombwa, has commended the role tax payers play in economic development

The Minister was launching the 10th Tax Payers’ Day themed "Tax Compliance dignifies a Nation”, in Kabarore Sector, Gatsibo District.

The Minister said that it was out of good will and commitment by tax payers that the country has managed to contribute 48% of national budget.

"48% of this year’s national budget was provided by tax payers, 41% from donors while the rest is from external debts,” he said.

He called on the citizens, especially the business community, to be tax compliant.

"The government wants the citizens’ contribution to hit a target of 60% in 2014/2015 national budget. This will be a tremendous stride taken by Rwandans themselves to get rid of aid dependency,” he said.

Rwangombwa told a crowd of Gatsibo residents who had gathered at the district main auditorium that the country’s economy has grown to 13.7% and is expected to further grow at a tune of 15% .

"But this will greatly depend on Rwandans’ contribution through paying taxes,” he said.

The Minister went on to challenge the residents to work with the local leaders and fight those who still carry out illegal cross-border trade saying they slow down the country’s development.

The Minister invited Gatsibo residents at the celebrations to mark the 10th Tax Payers’ Day on the national level, on 13th August at RRA headquarters.

The Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority, Ben Kagarama, said that the institution has registered tremendous progress in tax collection adding that it resulted from citizens’ continuous improvement in paying taxes.

"Rwandans have shown commitment to pay taxes and we promise to fully decentralize our services,” he said.

The governor of the Eastern Province, Dr. Aissa Kirabo Kacyira, said that residents in the province, especially the business community have, in addition to being tax compliant, contributed to government programmes.

"I want to pass a vote of thanks to the business community in the Eastern Province for their commitment in contributing to the government programmes like eradicating thatched houses,” she said.   

During the ceremony, Minister Rwangombwa officially opened a new RRA office in Gatsibo District as part of the institution’s programme to decentralize and bring its services closer to people.

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