ENewsletter September 2011
In this issue
- VAT Educational and Sensitisation Campaign
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Uganda Delegation Study Tour
- Tanzanian Delegation - Study Tour
- 32nd Annual Technical Conference of CATA
- MRA Annual Mass 2011
- Pool Competition
VAT Educational and Sensitisation Campaign
MRA launched a VAT sensitization campaign in the month of September 2011 to apprise traders, professionals, service providers and the public in general of the implications of VAT on business and consumers. Several TV and radio programmes were organized by the MRA and articles were simultaneously published in the press. MRA also used mass media for communique informing the public of the programme of the VAT educational sessions across the country. Seven VAT educational sessions were organized in the month of September in different regions of the island. The aim of those sessions were to sensitize taxable persons who are not VAT registered of the requirement to register for VAT and the operation of the VAT system. Sessions were organized at the MRA Head Office, Port Louis, Royal College, Curepipe, Municipality of Quatre Bornes, Philippe Rivalland RCA, Beau Bassin, Maheshwarnath Govt School, Triolet, Rajcoomar Gajadhur Govt School, Flacq and Willoughby Govt School, Mahebourg. More sessions will be organized in the month of October 2011 in Gramd Bay, Riviere du Rempart and Goodlands.
Corporate Social Responsibility
MRA wins award for promoting blood donation activities
In appreciation of the support of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) in promoting blood donation activities, the Blood Donors Association (Mauritius) presented an award to the MRA on Friday 30th September 2011 at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC). The representative of the MRA, Mr Ludovic Thanay, received the shield from the hands of the Minister of Health and Quality of life, Hon. Lormus Bundhoo.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority organizes every year a blood donation campaign to mark its anniversary. This year, the MRA organized its 5th Blood Donation Campaign on the 1st July 2011 at the Head office, Ehram Court, the Custom House, Mer Rouge and at the Airport and PATS Office, Plaisance. A total of 637 pints of blood were collected, representing around a week’s blood supply for the country, according to the National Blood Transfusion Service.
In recognition of the contribution of organisations towards increasing the country’s blood supply, the Blood Donors Association (BDA) an official Blood Donors Award Ceremony at the Auditorium of the RGSC, at Bell Village. The president of the BDA, Mr S. Seegoolam talked about the importance for organizations to commit themselves to support the National Blood Transfusion Service as there is no substitute for blood. The Minister of Health and Quality of Life, Hon. Lormus Bundhoo congratulated the winners of the different awards and announced several measures to encourage blood collection in Mauritius.
Uganda Delegation Study Tour
A delegation from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) made a study tour of five days from 12th to 16th September 2011 at the head office of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA). The theme of the study tour was Debt management. The URA delegates were able to understand the MRA structure, processes and procedure in the management of tax debts and arrears. In the concluding days the URA interest was also focussed on how MRA works with the key government agencies and other stakeholders to achieve its corporate mission.
Tanzanian Delegation - Study Tour
The Mauritius Revenue Authority hosted a study tour on "Simplification of Income Tax Structure" for a Tanzanian Delegation from 19th September to 23rd September 2011 at the Ehram Court, Port Louis. The objective of the delegation was to study the tax reforms that have been undertaken by the Mauritius since 2006 and identify areas in which Tanzania can emulate in order to streamline the Income Tax Structure in Tanzania as well as review the tax incentives as provided in the Income Tax and VAT Acts. Other main areas covered during this study tour were: the Income Tax Structure in Mauritius, the approach used in carrying out the reforms, legal framework to administer the new tax structure and the technology applied in tax administration.
32nd Annual Technical Conference of CATA
The 32nd Annual Technical Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 18th September to 23rd September 2011. The department of Inland Revenue of Sri Lanka was entrusted with organizing the entire programme. Areas covered during the conference were "Transfer Pricing" and "Taxpayer Education" as a compliance tool. Around 100 delegates from the Commonwealth member countries and invitees attended the conference. Mr Sudhamo Lal, Director General of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) and president of CATA was amongst the participants during this conference.
MRA Annual Mass 2011
The Annual mass on the occasion of St Mathews-Patron of Tax collectors was held on 28st September 2011 at the Saint Antoine Chapel, Port Louis. The theme for the celebration "Avec Mathieu ,Jesus nous unit ", illustrated the strong wish that all officers are united to meet the vision and mission of the MRA to face the challenges of the 21st century. It is worthy to note that this year marked the 20th celebration of this annual mass.All officers heartfully prayed and thanked God for His blessings and mercy during all the past years which have been witness to so many positive changes in our workplace. There was a free distribution of food to the needy after the celebration by the MRA, Customs Department.
Click here to view moments of the Annual Mass.
Pool Competition
The MRA participated in a "Tournois de Pool", organised by the Fédération Mauricienne des Sports Corporatifs on 09 and 10 September 2011. The event was held at the Staff Club of the University of Mauritius, Réduit. 6 staff from the Finance& Administration and the Customs Departments represented the MRA at the tournament, namely: Kewal Jeetun, Sandip Raumessur, Zunib Mungroo, Deepaksing Hurdoyal, Shailen Tirvengadum & Nishal Jugdhur. The MRA Team was qualified up to the 1/4 Final after winning the 1/8 Final against the MBC & the IFRAMAC Ltd
