Building linkages: ZRA and ZDA sign MOU

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost investment and tax administration in Zambia.

ZRA and ZDA formalized their partnership for the improved and ensured structured mode of sharing information and Cooperation. The two organisations, despite having understood clearly the need for collaboration, have never had a formalized way of working together.

ZRA, represented by the Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda and the ZDA represented by its Acting Director General, Matongo Matamwandi signed the MoU aimed at ratifying their cooperation towards promoting fair and efficient business and tax systems and administrations in the country to boost investment and revenue collection.

According to Mr. Chanda, “both institutions have a role to play in facilitating both local and foreign investments in Zambia. While ZDA promotes investments opportunities and grants investment licenses to investors, ZRA is required to confirm, in writing, the tax incentives that investors are entitled to under the tax laws of Zambia”.

There has never been a structured framework for communication and liaison between our two institutions and this has affected the service delivery of our two institutions to investors, observed Mr. Chanda.

ZDA Acting Director General alluded to the importance of the two institutions working together by stating that, the more investors, the more revenue collection thereby increasing the business opportunities in the country (through the various services and incentives.

Mr. Matamwandi added that, ZDA is an extension of the Authority’s Public Relations Unit because it avails tax information to investors. The two institutions agreed to ensuring information was more structured.

Under the MoU, the two organizations intend to share information, provide ZRA desk officers at ZDA, and establish structured arrangements for communication, reporting and liaison; and to facilitate improved engagement and co-operation between the parties. Among other things.