Japanese assistance to boost Lao tax collection
Japanese assistance to boost Lao tax collection
The Lao government is seeking to enhance the capacity of officials in charge of tax administration to ensure the stability and effectiveness of taxes and revenue collection.
Tax officials from the Ministry of Finance and provincial tax offices across Laos are participating in a three-day seminar on Strengthening Tax Administration as part of the government's efforts to ensure the collection of taxes and revenue is effective and transparent.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Finance Ms Thipphakone Chanthavongsa said the strengthening of officials' capacity in charge of tax administration was critically important because they are in charge of accelerating the growth of the business sector.
�By providing a clearer explanation of the tax collection procedures, businesses will contribute their obligations to the nation's economic development as well as increasing the efficiency of tax and revenue collection in Laos,� she said.
She said the seminar was a significant milestone between the two governments of Laos and Japan, especially in strengthening the capacity of Laos' financial sector.
�Participants are encouraged to actively interact with an experienced expert who will be present at the seminar for three days and to put the lessons learnt into the practical action at your workplaces,� Ms Thipphakone added.
Japanese Ambassador to Laos Mr Takeshi Hikihara said the seminar was par t of the bilateral cooperation between the two governments.
�Last year, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith visited Japan and asked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for technical support for capacity building f or Lao officials in relation to boosting the efficiency of tax and revenue collection (value-added tax),� he said.
�The government of Japan has assigned an official who is specialised in tax collection, especially VAT, to help train Lao tax officials today,� Mr Hikihara said.
The three-day seminar from April 3-5 is led by a specialist from Japan's Ministry of Finance, Mr Hiroyuki Kato, who is experienced in VAT and tax policy.
In addition, Lao officials attended a recent tax workshop supported by the European Delegation to Laos and are also participating in this seminar to share their lessons learnt from the previous workshop.
