Parliament Raises Concern over Stagnant Tax-GDP Ratio

Jul 1 , 2023


[ssba-buttons]

The Standing Committee on Plan, Finance & Budget chaired by Desalegn Wodajo expressed concern over the stagnant tax-to-GDP ratio in the past two years during the performance report presentation of the Ministry of Revenues. New taxes on property, expansion of taxable services in VAT and readjustment of the ratified excise tax proclamation will broaden the tax base, according to State Minister Meseret Bekele. He assured the standing committee that there will be a rise in the ratio within the coming year. The Committee Chair expressed a welcoming attitude towards any new taxes stating the committee's willingness to ratify any law that helps to increase revenue generation. The government seeks to broaden its tax base aiming for an 18.2pc tax to GDP ratio within the next five years. It will be monumental feet to climb, having a 10 percentage point increase in insight. Under Aynalem Nigussie, the Ministry collected 405 billion Br in the year, a marked 30.9pc jump from the last year, meeting 98pc of its tax goals. The customs commission accounts for 161.4 billion Br while domestic revenues stand at 243 billion Br. Aynalem disclosed that increased collection on behalf of regional states, which climbed by 15 billion Br from the previous year to 53.3 billion Br was the reason that the Ministry could not transfer 50 billion Br to the national treasury at the Ministry of Finance. She argued the Ministry is performing well according to key performance indicators, attributing the untransferred funds as arising from policy issues.


Radar

Coffee Hub Illu Ababor Targets Bigger Share in Global Market

Illu Ababor Zone supplied more than 51,000 tons of coffee to the central market in the 2024/25 fiscal year, Deputy Administrator Mohammed Teha reported. The effort is part of the "Neqemte Initiative," designed to promote production, productivity, and quality in top foreign exchange earner. The zone spans over 700,000 hectares, including 300,000 hectares of newly planted and rehabilitated coffee and 400,000 hectares of wild varieties, cementing its role as a major coffee hub. Officials highlig...


Radar

From Loan to Tap, Ministry Secures Water Infrastructure Funds

The Ministry of Water & Energy has signed a cooperation framework with China Exim Bank, facilitated by contractor CGCOC, securing a 100 million dollars loan. State Minister for Drinking Water & Sanitation Ambassador Asfaw Dingamo (PhD) said the funding will finance water supply and sanitation infrastructure in five cities: Holeta in Oromia, Areka in the South, Inseno and Tora in Central Ethiopia, and Mizan Aman in the South...


Radar

Bureau Rolls Out QR-Enabled IDs for Inspectors

The Addis Abeba Revenues Bureau has equipped inspectors with QR (quick response) code-integrated ID cards to curb fraud and improve transparency. Launched in Mercato, the system lets merchants verify inspectors' identities via smartphone, deterring impersonation and extortion. Bureau head Biniyam Mikiru said the move strengthens technology-backed oversight and shields compliant taxpayers. Inspectors will also wear new uniforms to distinguish them from impostors. Merchants praised the reform, say...