05 Feb 2024

Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) is implementing the Electronic Invoicing (E-Billing) for efficient VAT collection to close leakages and maximise revenue.

The first phase of the three-year project is scheduled for completion in December 2024, the minister of Finance, Ms Peggy Serame said in her budget proposals for the financial year 2024/25 yesterday.

Other reforms that would also maximise revenue drive, she said was implementation of a solution to digitally mark and track excisable goods that would be fully implemented by July 2024.

In addition, she said BURS continue to optimise efficiency of its e-services, mentioning among them online tax filing systems, online customs declarations, electronic payment as the platforms simplify tax compliance for individuals and businesses, fostering a business- friendly environment and encouraging investment.

Citing the Kazungula One-Stop Border Post, she said the One-Stop Border model has been fully operationalized to enhance trade facilitation.“The model will also cover other critical borders with Mamuno One-Stop Border Post operations scheduled for May 2024, while the construction of facilities for Pioneer Gate (Lobatse) will be completed in June 2024. The Tlokweng Gate and Ramatlabama will follow in the coming years,” she said.

To complement the One-Stop Border Post and National Single Window initiatives, Ms Serame said BURS had entered into a Systems Connectivity and Data Exchange programme with Zambia and Namibia to foster integrity and greater transparency in cross border transactions, for customs and tax purposes.

She pointed out that the Zambia project was completed in May 2023 while implementation for the Namibia project was expected to be complete by May 2024.

Ms Serame also said to further enhance efficiency in international supply chain, BURS, in collaboration with other key stakeholders in international trade, has commenced the implementation of a National Single Window.

She further said the Readiness Assessment was completed in January 2024, and the implementation was expected by December 2027 in accordance with Botswana’s commitment under the World Trade Organisation trade facilitation agreement. Ends