GRA employees lauds President for contribution to the authority
Georgetown, GINA, November 11, 2011
Source - GINA
President Bharrat Jagdeo speaking to Guyana Revenue Authority employees at a dialogue held at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal
The Staff of the Guyana Revenue Authority gathered at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara were given the opportunity to have a momentous dialogue with President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo.
At the event President Bharrat Jagdeo came in for high praises for government’s role as a partner with the authority which has brought about reform and major achievements, all being done with the exclusion of political interference in its day to day activities. Towards this end, President Bharrat Jagdeo was presented with tokens of appreciation by the employees on behalf of the authority.
Since its establishment, the Guyana Revenue Authority has had the opportunity to undertake the following major initiatives and investments, which now see its customers accessing a host of services with ease; Investments in Information Technology saw the installation and implementation of the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) and an Intranet and Web Service, which links all its offices countrywide, making information readily accessible; Tax Reform Initiatives such as the implementation of the Fiscal Enactments Amendment Act, the introduction of Taxpayer Identification Number, the implementation of’ Value Added Tax and New Excise Tax; Initiatives to modernize and strengthen the tax administration has seen; organization restricting along functional lines, the implementation of integrated regional tax offices, the modernization of Licence Revenue Operations and Training and Development Programs delivered to staff.
Senior Officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority stopped for a photo opportunity with President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur
Other initiatives which has helped to transform the Revenue Authority are; Law Enforcement- which saw the implementation of a risk management system for imported goods, the establishment of a marine operations unity, the acquisition of patrol boats for enforcement operations, customs checkpoints at Crab Island, Mabura and Kurupukari, the acquisition and operationalisation of a container scanner and the establishment of the State Warehouse at Eccles. The Tax Compliance, Public Relations and Education initiatives saw compliance and advisory visits being made to taxpayers, the hosting of seminars and information sessions and radio, television talk shows and print media which seeks to make the public aware of what they are required by law to do, as it pertains to the paying of taxes.
President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed gratitude for the warm wishes expressed by employess, and signaled his pleasure with the progress that the revenue authority has made since its formation.
His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo charged employees to be offay with what is happening around the world, moreso in their country. “ You have to be aware of where the world is going economically, as well as the national plans for your country because there is a strong correlation between success in revenue growth and revenue collection and the growth in economic activities in a country, “ His Excellency said.
Recounting the years prior to the establishment of the authority the president said “the journey was a difficult one as it dealt, from its inception, with creating a modern entity that will not only support development and change in Guyana, but also lead development and change,” President Bharrat Jagdeo said.
Guyana Revenue Authority employees who attended the dialogue with President Bharrat Jagdeo at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal
His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo also alluded to the fact that, with the establishment of entities such as Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) and Berbice Anti Smuggling Squad (BASS), order has been brought to the tax administration in the country; moreso smuggling has been significantly demolished. “I recall the early days what the situation was like… there were so many systems that functioned not based on the rules of the system, but through exceptions, today however duty free concessions is rule base and administered by the GRA.
Nicole Williams, a Manager of Guyana Revenue Authority presenting President Bharrat Jagdeo with a token of appreciation for his contribution to the authority
His Excellency also informed the employees, that though GRA would have travelled a long way on the road to development and advancement of the administration of taxes countrywide, more is still left to be done, and towards this end, the authority will be receiving a new building which will see a centralization of the now decentralized services offered, testimony of government’s commitment for the development of not only the authority but also the development of the country, as, if revenues are not collected for government services, government will not be in a position to implement any of its developmental plans.
Commissioner General of the Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur said that “leadership is a journey of discovery; it is the expression of a person who tries their best to earn something for the better and develop that potential in others… you President Jagdeo, have demonstrated that you are a leader, and I personally thank you for the sterling contributions you have made to the authority,” Sattaur said.
Sattaur also informed employees that from the conception of the GRA with the inauguration of the revenue authority act, President Bharrat Jagdeo, the then Minister of Finance, was instrument in the merger of the two largest revenue collection agencies in Guyana, namely the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs and Excise Department.
Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur making his presentation at the dialogue with President Bharrat Jagdeo
“I have had the priviledge to serve under you both in your capacity as Minister of Finance and as President… I will treat those years of my life as most precious, rewarding and successful, as it was during those years I saw my dreams of establishing a revenue authority becoming a reality. The magnificent support you gave the governing board for our policies and suggestions for our improvements in the management of the industry has contributed to its successes over the years,” Sattaur said.
At the event, several employees were afforded the opportunity to ask His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo questions of concern to them and have an immediate response. This saw the question of whether or not President Jagdeo would be willing to share his wealth of knowledge in tax laws and taxation with the new government, after demitting office being asked, to this, His Excellency said that because of his eagerness to see the country succeed in achieving economic heights, he will be available to not only the government but other agencies that are so oriented.
Georgetown, GINA, November 11, 2011
Source - GINA
President Bharrat Jagdeo speaking to Guyana Revenue Authority employees at a dialogue held at the International Conference Centre, LiliendaalThe Staff of the Guyana Revenue Authority gathered at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara were given the opportunity to have a momentous dialogue with President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo.
At the event President Bharrat Jagdeo came in for high praises for government’s role as a partner with the authority which has brought about reform and major achievements, all being done with the exclusion of political interference in its day to day activities. Towards this end, President Bharrat Jagdeo was presented with tokens of appreciation by the employees on behalf of the authority.
Since its establishment, the Guyana Revenue Authority has had the opportunity to undertake the following major initiatives and investments, which now see its customers accessing a host of services with ease; Investments in Information Technology saw the installation and implementation of the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) and an Intranet and Web Service, which links all its offices countrywide, making information readily accessible; Tax Reform Initiatives such as the implementation of the Fiscal Enactments Amendment Act, the introduction of Taxpayer Identification Number, the implementation of’ Value Added Tax and New Excise Tax; Initiatives to modernize and strengthen the tax administration has seen; organization restricting along functional lines, the implementation of integrated regional tax offices, the modernization of Licence Revenue Operations and Training and Development Programs delivered to staff.
Senior Officials of the Guyana Revenue Authority stopped for a photo opportunity with President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid SattaurOther initiatives which has helped to transform the Revenue Authority are; Law Enforcement- which saw the implementation of a risk management system for imported goods, the establishment of a marine operations unity, the acquisition of patrol boats for enforcement operations, customs checkpoints at Crab Island, Mabura and Kurupukari, the acquisition and operationalisation of a container scanner and the establishment of the State Warehouse at Eccles. The Tax Compliance, Public Relations and Education initiatives saw compliance and advisory visits being made to taxpayers, the hosting of seminars and information sessions and radio, television talk shows and print media which seeks to make the public aware of what they are required by law to do, as it pertains to the paying of taxes.
President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed gratitude for the warm wishes expressed by employess, and signaled his pleasure with the progress that the revenue authority has made since its formation.
His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo charged employees to be offay with what is happening around the world, moreso in their country. “ You have to be aware of where the world is going economically, as well as the national plans for your country because there is a strong correlation between success in revenue growth and revenue collection and the growth in economic activities in a country, “ His Excellency said.
Recounting the years prior to the establishment of the authority the president said “the journey was a difficult one as it dealt, from its inception, with creating a modern entity that will not only support development and change in Guyana, but also lead development and change,” President Bharrat Jagdeo said.
Guyana Revenue Authority employees who attended the dialogue with President Bharrat Jagdeo at the International Conference Centre, LiliendaalHis Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo also alluded to the fact that, with the establishment of entities such as Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) and Berbice Anti Smuggling Squad (BASS), order has been brought to the tax administration in the country; moreso smuggling has been significantly demolished. “I recall the early days what the situation was like… there were so many systems that functioned not based on the rules of the system, but through exceptions, today however duty free concessions is rule base and administered by the GRA.
Nicole Williams, a Manager of Guyana Revenue Authority presenting President Bharrat Jagdeo with a token of appreciation for his contribution to the authorityHis Excellency also informed the employees, that though GRA would have travelled a long way on the road to development and advancement of the administration of taxes countrywide, more is still left to be done, and towards this end, the authority will be receiving a new building which will see a centralization of the now decentralized services offered, testimony of government’s commitment for the development of not only the authority but also the development of the country, as, if revenues are not collected for government services, government will not be in a position to implement any of its developmental plans.
Commissioner General of the Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur said that “leadership is a journey of discovery; it is the expression of a person who tries their best to earn something for the better and develop that potential in others… you President Jagdeo, have demonstrated that you are a leader, and I personally thank you for the sterling contributions you have made to the authority,” Sattaur said.
Sattaur also informed employees that from the conception of the GRA with the inauguration of the revenue authority act, President Bharrat Jagdeo, the then Minister of Finance, was instrument in the merger of the two largest revenue collection agencies in Guyana, namely the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs and Excise Department.
Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur making his presentation at the dialogue with President Bharrat Jagdeo“I have had the priviledge to serve under you both in your capacity as Minister of Finance and as President… I will treat those years of my life as most precious, rewarding and successful, as it was during those years I saw my dreams of establishing a revenue authority becoming a reality. The magnificent support you gave the governing board for our policies and suggestions for our improvements in the management of the industry has contributed to its successes over the years,” Sattaur said.
At the event, several employees were afforded the opportunity to ask His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo questions of concern to them and have an immediate response. This saw the question of whether or not President Jagdeo would be willing to share his wealth of knowledge in tax laws and taxation with the new government, after demitting office being asked, to this, His Excellency said that because of his eagerness to see the country succeed in achieving economic heights, he will be available to not only the government but other agencies that are so oriented.