NRA trains 120 on CET

The National Revenue Authority is presently training up to 120 Customs and other Business Administrators, to prepare them for the introduction of a common external tariff for all ECOWAS countries. This instrument was signed to by ECOWAS, Heads of State in 2012, and will see members state using the same tariff rate for commodities or goods that are actually produced in the respective countries. Sierra Leone should have commenced the implementation of this policy in 2014, but the process was delayed due to the Ebola outbreak in the region.

Speaking to this press at his Wellington street office, the Corporate Affairs Manager of NRA, Mohamed Bangura said that with the implementation of this instrument, ECOWAS nation will be using the same tariff for all goods or product manufactured in the region, meaning that any good brought from this countries the customs duty will be predictable in the sense that business people will know what are the expected duty they will pay for that goods before leaving for business, adding that this policy will help improve on the business planning and also facilitate good atmosphere in doing business.

According to him, the C.E.T will promote economic integration in the region, facilitate trade and also encourage free movement of goods in the region. He continued that the CET is going to impact on the national economy through many ways as when once this tariff is introduced, a lot of people who had not been involved in business activities will find the area now very attractive as they will pay customs duties far below what was expected in the past, because the Customs department will be engaged in facilitating trade by ensuring that they prevent the entrance of banned substances and making sure that business people moves freely.

The C.E.T will also discourage smuggling activities as many of the smugglers are those who buy goods from the sub region, adding that some of the goods that they will fall under the C.E.T, as this will lead to the maximization of more revenue. Mohamed Bangura stated that objective of this policy is to promote local industries through a protectionism approach. The new policy is expected to be introduced next year as the NRA is presently working with donor partner. G.I.Z for the speedy introduction of this scheme.

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