ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 10. CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2 JANUARY International Customs Day On 26 January 2013, the International Customs Day was celebrated at the Custom House. The theme for the year was Innovation for Customs Progress. MRA Press Conference The Director-General, the Chairperson, and members of the management team met with the press on 15 January 2013 at the MRA Head Office to communicate the MRA s performance during the past year, the main changes of the Finance Act 2012 and the various projects for Launching of E-Filing of Individual Return The MRA e filing service 2013 for individual income tax returns was launched on 25 February at the MRA Head Office. FEBRUARY Paying Taxes by SMS Payment of income tax by orange money became operational as from 28 February Through this initiative, taxpayers may effect payment of their taxes by mobile phones. 86

3 JANUARY MARCH MOU between MRA and DPP On 25 March 2013, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between MRA and the Enforcement Authority of the office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the exchange of information and for providing effective support to the police to fight against financial crimes. Visit of Chinese Customs Delegation A delegation from the Chinese Customs Department, led by the Vice Minister of the General Administration of China Customs, Mr Sun Yi Biao, visited Mauritius in March The aim of the visit was to share the Chinese expertise with Mauritius. Help to victims of Flash Floods The Director-General remitted a cheque of Rs 508,000 to the Acting Prime Minister, Dr Ahmed Rashid Beebeejaun for the Prime Minister s Relief and Support Fund (PMRSF) on 19 April 2013 in support of the victims of the deadly flash flood of 30 March APRIL Secondment programmes of two Officials from Comoros Two officials from Comoros, Mr Athoumani Addou Mmadi (Tax Official) and Mr Djamal Ahamada (Customs); were on a one-month secondment programme at the MRA. This programme was a joint cooperation between IMF AFRITAC SOUTH, the Australian Government and the MRA. 87

4 JANUARY MAY Steering Committee meeting of WCO The MRA hosted the third Steering Committee meeting of the WCO ESA Project Building Capacity through Customs Modernization in the East and Southern Africa Region on 7 and 8 of May E-filing Lucky Draw 2013 prize giving ceremony The winners of the MRA e-filing Lucky Draw 2013 were awarded their prizes during an official ceremony held on 31 May This is part of MRA s strategy to motivate taxpayers to e-file their individual income tax returns and participate in a luck draw under the supervision of the GRA. 88 JUNE Sensitisation campaign against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking In the context of the 26th International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking, the MRA Customs department received an Award Certificate by the NATReSA in presence of the Minister of Health and Quality of Life, the Hon. Lormus BUNDHOO, in recognition of its contribution in the fight against illicit drug trafficking. Best Tax Stamp Programme: MRA bags 3rd Prize The MRA was awarded the third prize for the Best Tax Stamp Programme during the Fourth Tax Stamp Forum held from 3 to 5 June 2013 in Vienna and organised by Reconnaissance International, publisher of the Tax Stamp News. Tax Stamp was introduced in Mauritius by the MRA on cigarette packets since June 2008.

5 Taxpayer s Week To mark its 7th anniversary, the MRA organised a Taxpayer s Week from 1 July 2013 to 5 July 2013, comprising a fourfold event namely: interactive session with students; Twitter Competition; Blood Donation; and an Open Day at the MRA. JANUARY JULY African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) workshop The MRA hosted a seminar in collaboration with the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at Le Méridien Hotel, Balaclava from 15 July 2013 to 19 July The main theme of the seminar was Managing Tax Compliance: Risk Management, Taxpayer Education and Corruption. AUGUST Integrity Workshop 2013 The MRA organised a full day Integrity Workshop on 22 August 2013 at the BPML Conference Room, Ebene with the theme Building Integrity for the Young Generation. The workshop was officially launched by the Chief Guest, Mr. Anil Kumar Ujoodha, Director General, ICAC in the presence of the Chairperson and Director-General. SMS facilities to Economic Operators On 5 August 2013, the MRA, in collaboration with the Mauritius Network Services (MNS), launched a prepaid service termed SMS facilities to economic Operators at the Custom House. 89

6 SEPTEMBER JANUARY VDIA and VAT Refund Sessions in Rodrigues The MRA organised two educational sessions in Rodrigues at the Human Resource Centre, Malabar to educate taxpayers on Tax Incentive Schemes and VAT Refund Mechanism. Celebration of St Matthews Day The MRA celebrated the St Matthews Day by organising a Mass at the St Louis Cathedral, Port Louis on 23 September St Matthews is celebrated around the world as the Patron Saint of Customs and Tax officials. OCTOBER MRA wins HR Excellence Award 2013 The MRA was awarded the HR Champion of the HR Excellence Award 2013 in the Public Sector Organisation category during a ceremony held on 18 October 2013 at the Méridien Hotel. The Director-General, was presented with the CEO with HR Orientation Award in the HR Professional Category by Dr. The Honourable Vasant K. BUNWAREE, Minister of Education and Human Resources. The MRA also won the HR Excellence in Strategic HRM Award as well as the HR Excellence in Employer of Choice Award. Seizure of new luxury cars The MRA seized a number of luxury cars which were imported under the Returning Citizen Scheme but apparently not being used by the returning citizens. 90

7 NOVEMBER JANUARY CSR: Lunch to needy children On 7 November 2013, the MRA offered a lunch to students of the Pointe aux Sables Government School (ZEP) in line with the MRA s commitment to promoting education Opening of the WCO/ESA RTC at Custom House On 25 November 2013, the Regional Training Centre (RTC) was inaugurated in the presence of Mr Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the WCO. DECEMBER Exchange of information on Customs with Seychelles Delegation A delegation of 6 persons from Seychelles came for a study visit on Customs Operations. The delegation also met with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) officials and with the Secretary General of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Presentation of MRA Annual Report 2012 to MoFED The Director-General presented a copy of the MRA s Annual Report 2012 to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on 16 December