17 Aug 2022

Chinese business community has been urged to comply with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) tax requirements. BURS commissioner general, Ms Jeanette Makgolo made the call when addressing the business owners residing in Maun recently.

Ms Makgolo encouraged them owners to pay tax on time to avoid punitive measures taken against them, adding that the country needed finances to undertake development projects for the benefit of the nation.

The Chinese community, she said, played a key role in implementation of some developments locally, citing construction of roads, which was funded by government.

Furthermore, she explained that BURS existed to mobilise revenue for government primarily by taxing the businesses on the profits accrued.

She said BURS was tasked to guard ports of entry to collect tax  and enforce statutory laws.

To collect revenue, Ms Makgolo said they had to facilitate the Chinese business operators hence the meeting to drill them on issues of tax compliance.

Furthermore, Ms Makgolo advised the Chinese business owners to guard against illegal activities such as money laundering.

Although, she appreciated that currently none of their businesses had been involved in money laundering activities.

“We have faith and trust that none of your businesses will be involved in the financial flaws and I believe you are using electronic gadgets to conduct transactions because as a country we are moving away from old method of holding hard cash,” she said.

The business owners also learnt that efforts were being made to translate some tax forms and literature from English to Mandarin, one of the Chinese languages. “We will need your assistance to succeed in doing so. The project needs to move as fast as possible for your benefit,” she added. The Chinese community was also encouraged to learn Setswana and English as well for easy communication and accessing of services.

Speaking on behalf of the Chinese community, Mr Jiantao Hong thanked BURS for organising the meeting which afforded them an opportunity to interact and discuss important issues. He noted that the business community was enjoying excellent services offered by Maun BURS office, adding that they were also doing their best to be tax compliant.  ENDS