ONE year after the
The digital stamps were introduced by the tax collector in January last year to replace paper stamps which were prone to abuse leading to tax evasion as well as flooding of counterfeit products in the local market.
Nevertheless, while local producers and importers of excisable products hail ETS for curbing counterfeit goods on one hand they complain on the other on what they describe as high costs of the digital stamps.
The
However, TRA went ahead and awarded a contract to a Swiss firm, Société Industrielle et Commerciale de Produits Alimentaires (SICPA), for supply, installation and provision of supporting software and hardware for ETS management system.
Speaking recently to members of the
"The digital stamps have helped us to curb counterfeit cigarettes as well as tracking and tracing of our products," Mr Kizila told the parliamentarians.
The parliamentary committee had visited TRA headquarters and selected manufacturers who have been installed with ETS to learn how the system works.
It was the same parliamentary committee that had opposed the introduction of ETS when the idea was moved in the august House by Dr Mpango in
However, when it visited
"The current rate of
"The stamps have impacted the company's profitability, cash flow and dividends payable to shareholders," he lamented.
The SBL corporate relations director, Mr John Wanyancha said the aim of ETS was to protect consumers against illicit and counterfeit products. He noted that ETS also ensures that manufacturers do not under-declare their production volumes.
The TRA Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Revenue, Mr Msafiri Mbibo, said during the tour that the tax collector had engaged manufacturers in a number of issues including ETS as well as other tax related issues.
"Both SBL and TCC have expressed satisfaction over ETS because it has enabled their businesses to grow," he pointed.
The chairman of the parliamentary committee, Mr Mashimba Ndaki, assured the manufacturers that they will engage relevant government institutions to ensure that all concerns are addressed
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