MRA Conducts Media Editors’ Tour

The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) conducted a five-day media tour for editors and heads of news drawn from various media houses to appreciate the Authority’s tax operations, some tax funded projects as well as progress registered in the One Stop Border Posts (OSBP) initiative.

The editors toured Marka-Nyathando Customs and Excise Border Station, Zomba Domestic Taxes Station, Liwonde Customs and Excise Inland Station, Dedza OSBP and Mchinji OSBP.

The tour raised awareness among the media regarding MRA works including the impact which the railway lines and OSBP are bringing towards tax revenue collection.

MRA Marketing Communications Manager, Wilma Chalulu, said rehabilitation of the two railway lines of Beira—Marka and Nacala—Liwonde are a milestone in the country’s development since substantial amounts of goods are being imported, thereby boosting tax revenue collection.

“As MRA, we are optimistic about these developments and we have already witnessed the importance of these railway lines. Just recently we processed importation of molasses for through Marka-Nyathando station in Nsanje.

“On the other hand, the station at Liwonde is processing goods from Nacala. These include shipments such as fertiliser, wheat, fuel, cement and other bulk raw materials. The railway lines are enhancing trade and facilitating sound transportation of goods, very crucial as we collect more taxes,” Chalulu said.

Highlighting the role of OSBP, Chalulu underscored the importance of the media to understand border operations, emphasising that the coming in of a new station at Dedza and the Mchinji OSBPs have boosted revenue collection.

She said MRA is now able to collect monthly revenues up to K16 billion at Dedza and around K4 billion at Mchinji due to the convenience the borders have brought, more especially in terms of fast trade facilitation and security which has assured traders to bring more goods for both exports and imports.

A Zimbabwean track driver, Joseph Butao, concurred with MRA saying there is efficiency and security at Dedza border station unlike in the past where drivers had to search for officers to facilitate the process, but now, they are closely available at their designated sections.

“We are now being cleared within hours, if we stay long, it is just a day. Previously it would take four or even more days,” Butao said.

In Mchinji, a Malawian business operator, Ellen Duncan expressed her gratitude for the OSBP by underlining the border’s efficiency improvement. 

“In the past, we were used to be here at the border for over 2 days, but now we are cleared in a matter of hours,” said Duncan.

The heads of news and editors were drawn from Malawi News Agency, Kuwala FM, Times Group, MIJ FM, Radio Islam, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Maria, Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Capital Radio, among others.

 

BY VICTOR MASANJE.