OBR registering shortage for its 2104 first- term

Waiting for an important revenue collection figure of an amount of FIB 154.25 billion, Burundi Revenue Authority has collected from January to March 2014 an amount of BIF 137.29 billion. “Comparing to 2014 forecasting, OBR has registered a poor performance of BIF 16.96 billion i.e. 10, 99% ”, declares Kieran Holmes, General Commissioner of OBR, during the presentation of the balance sheet of the 2014 first term.-Diane Uwimana

Kieran Holmes: “The poor performance is due to the lack of computer systems in customs, tax reforms and exonerations.”©Iwacu

Comparing to the last 2013 first term, OBR has registered a poor performance of an amount of BIF 3.50 billion i.e. 2.49%. The General Commissioner states that the poor performance is due to some obstacles: “there are the lack of computer systems in customs, tax reforms and exonerations.”
Kieran Holmes points out that OBR gives 78% in 2013 instead of 63% in 2012 to the government to support its activities: “We give a hand to the country by building different infrastructures such as hospitals, schools…so that all Burundians benefit from their taxes.” Looking towards fighting bribery in Burundi and increasing the tax collection, Holmes notes that OBR has some perspectives. “In the coming weeks OBR will roll out a new dedicated Call Centre and we will also have a Hotline for use by members of the public. The public will be able to contact us in a variety of ways, even anonymously, if they prefer”, he points out.

It is worth mentioning that OBR could not have made these achievements to date without the full support of the highest authorities such as Trademark East Africa. “TMEA has supported us in the whole 2104 first term by providing us computer systems and rehabilitating the One Stop Border Post at Kobero, buying new equipment, building OBR staff capacities, improving the way of communication and developing the single Customs Territory,” he concludes.