NORTHERN PROVINCE GICUMBI — The Minister of Commerce Monique Nsanzabaganwa has commended the Northern Province business community for paying government taxes on time. Nsanzabaganwa also commended workers of public and private institutions. Presiding over celebrations to mark Tax Payer’s Day, last week, the minister said taxes were critical in enabling the government to provide various social amenities to citizens. “These taxes have enabled government to construct roads, hospitals and schools throughout the country,” said Nsanzabaganwa. Representatives of Private Sector Federation (PSF), district authorities, financial institutions, private and public companies among others attended the ceremony at Gicumbi stadium. The minister advised the business community to get loans from banks and Microfinance institutions to boost their businesses in order to maximize their profits, saying the East African Community (EAC) member states provide a wide market for both industrial and agricultural products. “The road is still a long one because you need to produce more wheat for Pembe factory and more coffee, Irish potatoes and fruits to compete with the traders within the East African Community,” she added. Eugène Torero who represented the Commissioner General of Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), urged the business community to desist from the habit of evading taxes. “The future of Rwanda depends on taxes” said Torero. He said RRA has computerized its services to enable taxpayers clear their goods in the shortest time possible. They have also decentralized their services to district level to avoid overcrowding of tax payer’s at RRA head office. During the function, certificates and medals were awarded to the best tax payers in the Province, who included Mulindi Tea factory, Hotel Muhabura, Pembe Factory and SOS Children village among others. Ends
