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MRA Educational Tour 2025 | Mauritius Revenue Authority | YouTubeToText
YouTube Transcript: MRA Educational Tour 2025
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Summary
Core Theme
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) is actively engaging with secondary school students through educational initiatives like the "MRA Study Tour" to foster a culture of tax awareness, compliance, and responsible citizenship from an early age, emphasizing taxation's vital role in national development.
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[Music]
On behalf of the Mauritius Revenue
Authority, we are delighted to have you
all with us. This gathering provides us
with an opportunity to learn, engage,
and further understand the essential
work that MR does to keep our nation's
tax system running smoothly. Now, it is
my pleasure to invite Mr. Amit Tilagari
to deliver his welcome address. Mr.
Tilagari, please. It is indeed a
pleasure, a great pleasure and an honor
to welcome you all to the third edition
of the MRA Study 2. A unique and enriching
enriching
experience designed to enhance your
understanding of taxation and its vital
role in the progress of our beloved
nation. This study too is not an isolated
isolated
event. It is part of a much larger
educational initiative led by the
Maitius Revenue
Authority. Every year we conduct around
50 educational sessions in secondary
schools reaching young minds like you
like yours across Mauritius and Rodrig.
Now you might be asking yourselves
yourselves why are we here? Why are you
here this
morning? Some of you may be wondering
why is taxation such an important topic
for students like us.
The simple answer is because you are the
future of this country and at the
MRA for us at the MRA the future is
today. In just a few years you will be
stepping into the professional world
whether as employees, entrepreneur as
professionals in various fields.
No matter what career path you choose,
taxation will impact your life, whether
in the form of salaries, business
earnings, or even the goods and services
you consume.
Understanding taxation from an early
stage will empower you to make informed
financial decisions and contribute
responsibly to
society. Now let's have a look at MRA's
commitment to tax
education. At the Maicius Revenue
Authority, we firmly believe that tax
education is not just about rules and
regulations. It is about shaping responsible
responsible
citizens. We want young people like you
to see taxation not as a burden but as a
means to build a stronger, fairer, and
more prosperous Maicius.
Your participation in this study too is
an opportunity to first gain valuable
insights from experts like Dr. Rakkesh
Tea, team leader at the taxpayer
education and communication department.
By the way, Dr. Rakkesh Tea is with the
MRA right from the inception of the
Maicius Revenue Authority.
Secondly, you'll understand how taxes
taxes fund essential public services,
education, healthcare, infrastructure and
and
security. Thirdly, you'll learn about
the importance of tax compliance and the
role each citizen plays in national
development. And uh fourthly, you will
engage in in discussions about uh taxes.
You will have the opportunity to ask
questions to enhance your knowledge of
taxation and its impact on your
future. Now, what about the role of the
future leaders of
Mauritius? Your
role as the youth of Mauritius, you are
not passive observers.
You are active stakeholders in shaping
the future. The knowledge you gain today
will help you become responsible
taxpayers, ethical professionals, and
even advocates for transparency and
fairness in taxation values that
underpin our actions at the our actions
at the MRA as professionals.
Okay, this study
too is not just about listening. It is about
about
participation. I encourage you all to be
curious, to ask questions, and to
reflect on the role that taxation plays
in our daily life.
A country's progress depends not only in
its policies but on the awareness and
engagement of its
people. The more informed you are, the
stronger our society
becomes. With that, I welcome you all to
this third edition of the MRA Study 2.
Let's make the most of this opportunity
to learn, to share, and to grow
together. Thank you and uh enjoy the
session. Thank you, Mr. Tilgdari, for
your insightful words. We are now
privileged to hear from our chief guest,
Mr. Sudam, director general of the MRA,
who will deliver his keynote address.
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Lal on
the stage. Please. It's with
enthusiasm that I stand here alongside
my dedicated MR
team to extend a warm welcome to all of you.
you. In
In
particular, I want to acknowledge the
presence of students in the
auditorium of the integrated CHA customs
clearance center, a
modern and eco-friendly building that
symbolizes our
commitment to sustainable department goals.
goals.
I would like to take this
opportunity to express our
gratitude to the
management and educators of Lorto
College, Rose Hill, St. Joseph's
College, and West Coast International
Secondary School for their involvement
and effort in
facilitating the organization of this event.
event. Dear
Dear
students, your participation
today reflects a keen interest in
understanding the operations of MRA and
how we contribute to the socioeconomic
development of barricas.
This collaboration between educational
institutions and MRA is essential for
nurturing a well-informed
citizenry on
tax. Since its inception in
2006, MR has been steadfast in its quest
to instill a tax culture founded on
voluntary compliance.
To this end, we established the taxpayer
education and communication
department dedicated to
demystifying tax
obligations and promoting compliance
compliance through
through education.
education.
Our educational initi in initiatives are
multifaceted targeting a diverse
audience from large corporations to
small and medium
medium
enterprises and importantly to secondary
school students like yourselves.
This outreach is
important as you represent the taxpayers
Dear
students, it's vital to convey the
significance of tax
contributions and to
transform the perception of paying taxes
from a mere obligation into a positive commitment
commitment
towards societal wellbeing.
Furthermore, MRA plays an imperative
role in safeguarding our borders and
combating the illicit flow of
drugs. We use innovative
technology including advanced scanners
alongside a high trained workforce.
Central to our operational strategy at
the customs
department are our 16
16
canines, affectionately known as
cineifer dogs, whose olfactory
capabilities are
indispensable in the fight
against smuggling.
deployed strategically at crucial points
such as the port, airport, partial
port, container terminal. These
specially trained dogs can detect a wide
range of illegal
items from currency and contraet to
narcotics like cocaine, heroine and mtha metifines.
metifines. In
In
2024, our cineifer docs were
instrumental in
unreovering and in uncovering 73 illicit
cases collectively valued at
rupees 2.5 billion.
Dear students, it's imperative that you
recognize your vital role as
contributors to the
socioeconomic development of
Maicius. Over the past five years, MRA
has reached approximately 12,000
students through tax sensitization
initiatives, engaging with around 50
colleges annually.
In pursuit of these objectives, I am
pleased to
announce that we are in the process of
introducing tax clubs in
schools designed to promote early
awareness of tax
responsibilities and benefits.
These clubs will offer a platform for
continuous education and engagement,
cultivating informed responsible
citizens. The project is jointly being
worked out with the Ministry of
Education and Human Resource. We firmly
believe that youth engagement will forge
a more responsible generation of taxp
which is vital for the future of our
economy. At
MRA we embrace the
philosophy of partners in
progress. We envision all stakeholders
and tax players especially you the
students as potential advocates for our
mission by prioritizing taxpayer
engagement. MRA seeks to promote a
culture of voluntary compliance,
ensuring that everyone feels invested in
our collective
progress. From an obligation to pay
taxes, we want to instill a culture of
willingness to do
so. Looking ahead, we are fervent about
organizing similar educational tours for
other colleges, thereby widening our
reach and
impact. Dear students, I wish you all
abundant success in your personal and academic
academic
endeavors. Remember the future of our beautiful
beautiful
islands in your capable hands. Together
we can take our country to new heights.
Thank you for your attention.
Thank you sir for your inspiring words.
We will now view a video entitled MR
position to meet challenges ahead. The
aim of this video is to give you an
insight of MR strategic [Music]
direction. Since its very inception on
1st of July 2006, the MRA has kept its
promise to pursue the rise in revenue
collection year in year out. By now, the
MRA has remitted more than a trillion
rupees to the national treasury. That is
taxpayers have contributed more than
1,000 billion rupees to the
socioeconomic development of Mauritius
through the MRA during the last 15
years. Sustained by information and
communication technologies processes
have been automated to make up the MRA a
paperless organization. 97% of payments
are made electronically. filing of
returns has successfully attained the
100% goal from its initial role as
revenue collector. Today the MRA is an
important provider of financial
assistance to the needy. It all started
with the payment of negative income tax
in 2017 and a special allowance in 2018
to cope with the unprecedented coid9
pandemic. More than 27 billion rupees
have been distributed by now under the
self-employed assistance scheme and the
government wage assistance scheme. Some
279,000 employments have been saved and some
some
262,000 self-employed individuals have
been guaranteed a minimum subsistence.
The MRA also avails to be an important
player on the international scene
through ATA kata and the WCU with major
strategic attributions assigned to it.
The MRA has also honored its obligations
towards the OECD SAD and the IMF. The
mantra of the MRA is three-fold. People
at the MRA manage the present
effectively. They forget the past
selectively and they create the future
today through breakthrough innovations.
The vision was to transform Maicius tax
administration and make MRA a efficient,
effective and worldclass revenue administration.
administration.
This in fact was the biggest change
management exercise in Mauritius and it
laid emphasis on trade and taxpayer
facilitation. reducing the cost of doing
business and reducing the cost of
collections. Promoting greater
performance and efficiency with a new HR
framework, better automation and
simplification of procedures and
processes. From tons of paper to a
paperless organization, processes at the
MRA have been automated, offering
taxpayers the possibility of doing
business online at any time from
anywhere. filing of returns have never
been so smart. At the very inception, we
decided to do more with less. Heavy
investment was made in new technologies.
A new integrated tax system was
implemented. All processes were
rationalized and
re-engineered and taxpayers were
gradually shifted to eiling a new
eculture. The customs department of the
MRA has kept on consolidating its role
as a border protector. The customs
modernization and reform program which
started in late 1995 was given a new
boost since the inception of the MR in
2006. What we did differently, we cannot
modernize if other agents do not do so.
So what we did is brings them all under
one roof under the coordinated border management
management
concept. We did the same thing regarding
control at customs. You will see that we
have seized drugs and illicit precursors
the value of
6.1 billion rupees for the past few
years. How we did that? We did that
because we created the network
international, regional, local law
effort agencies. Doing this, we have
also harnessed the powers of ICT, K9 for
dog and nonintrusive inspection using
highly sophisticated scanners. Naretics
for a total market value of more than 6
MR Customs has spared no effort in
having recourse to latest innovative
state-of-the-art technologies meeting
international best practices. Conscious
of the changing climatic environment and
threats such as extreme po weather
conditions, the MR has armed itself in
line with the National Disaster Scheme
2016 to ensure business continuity
through an integrated robust disaster
management framework. Right from the
beginning, the MRA has reckoned the
importance of the people factor in the
accomplishment of daily tasks, thus
putting people first in all its
endeavors. At the MRA, it is our people
who are the most important asset. And
this is why we trust our people. We care
for them. We engage them and we empower
them. We give them all the required
support and resources for them to excel
and they give the best for the MA.
During these challenging times,
supervisors at all levels at the MR have
vowed to engage employees hearts and
minds. The latest taxpayer satisfaction
survey has revealed that 90% of
taxpayers are fully satisfied with the
quality of service offered by the MRA.
MRA has recourse to the most effective
ways of communicating with stakeholders.
A userfriendly website, the taxpayer
mailing service, MRA Facebook page,
Twitter account, short explanatory
videos in Creole and English, daily one
minute radio programs, regular presence
on radio, TV and newspapers. We also
attend to queries via emails and phone
calls. All these initiatives add to the
word of mouth in the dissemination of
information. The MRA is convinced that
it would need a new grade of employees
who are not only conversant with
bookkeeping and tax auditing techn but
are familiar and competent in new
information technology tools and are
also efficient in economy and the
commerce which is growing in the world.
MRA's business model already inspires
many revenue authorities across the
world. However, as Mr. Lal points out,
in the coming four years, this model
will be different involving further breakthrough
innovations. The MRA is now in a
position to move into the next stage of
transformation of its tax revenue
administration process. We have been
tapping the benefits of information
technology mainly for the benefit of our
stakeholders. We will now focus more on
using it in our tax compliance strategy.
The MRA will soon be implementing the e-
invoicing project which in a nutshell is
the e-reporting of all sales invoices by
businesses in real time to the tax
authority. To make things more
interesting, we have
cryptocurrency, e- invoicing, machine
learning and artificial intelligence
that are being seriously considered for
the MOA future strategy. Teamwork,
collaboration, participation, and
learning are more than ever the guiding
principles that will help the MRA
implement a new proactive business
model. Through our dynamic capacity
building initiatives, we are grooming a
new breed of employees, highly skilled
and innovative to meet the challenges
ahead. With a high volume of transaction
data available inhouse, the MRA has
started recruiting data analysts and
data scientists to maintain its position
as a worldclass tax administration. A
team of ICT professionals with proven
expertise keeps all the stakeholders of
the MRA connected. MRA has put in place
the best hardware and software solutions
available on the market in order to
cater the increasing demanding needs of
all our stakeholders. With the same
vigor, we're going to address future
challenges such as intelligencebased
antiquitics antiming strategies, blockchain
blockchain
unableing and integrated single window
for fuzza trade facilitation. The
concept of the ICC gives an idea of the
model envisioned by the MRA. The
imminent advent of the MR revenue house
with all its enhanced features will
allow MR officers to evolve in a new and
modern workplace environment very much
conducive to offering the smartest
services to taxpayers and further serve
as a model to the world. In the years to
come, the MRA has the intention to
further promote the work from home
concept and introduce e audit software
packages to facilitate this process.
Similarly, the auditing of taxpayers
will undergo further changes as we
gradually promote lifestyle audits,
computer auditing, automated
assessments, electronic recordkeeping
and cooperative compliance. The
Mauritius Revenue Authority will further
enhance its status of a worldclass
revenue authority for the people and by
the people and it is more than ever
positioned to meet further challenges
for a prosperous [Music]
Maicius. Thank you for watching. Now it
is time to further look at the vital
role of the MRI as we move into the
session presented by Dr. Tekk who will
take us through the various aspects of
MR's mandate including tax education,
sustainability and the role of customs.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Tekka on
stage. Good morning. I'm here today to
talk to you about the
MR about what we do and in whatever we
do how it affects your lives. So let's
start from the start. The MA started its
operation in 2006. So prior to the
setting up of the MA there existed four
distinct departments namely income tax
department, VAT department, large
taxpayer department and customs and
exercise department. With the advent of
the MR all these distinct department
came together to form a one-stop shop.
So today whatever you have to do in
terms of taxation you go to the M. We
collect more than 90% of total tax
revenue that goes in the consolidated
fund. The remaining 10% is been
collected by other government
institution. It may be not necessarily
tax, it may be fines, it may be other
forms of leies, fees etc. that goes
again in the consolidated fund. We
administer all the revenue laws and we
fall under the responsibility of the
ministry of finance. This is the
organization structure of the MR. So
you're going to notice that on the top
we have the Mor board. You have the
director general who we have the
privilege to have in our mids today, Mr.
Sudamulad. He has been with us since
2005 and he has more than 20 years in
this organization and let me tell you
during this span of time the revenue
generated by the MRA has increased by
more than four
times. We have a functional structure
organizational structure and if you
notice in the middle the compliance
department this is the core business of
the MR. So on top left you're going to
see large taxpayers department. A large
taxpayer in the context of Mauritius is
any entity generating a revenue of more
than 100 million annually. This is
categorized as a large taxpayer and all
the other people I mean who who is
earning less than 100,000 is classified
as a medium and small taxpayer. We also
have an operational services department.
So whatever you have to let's say make a
payment to register for VAT or to create
a tax account number whatever services
that you require you will go to the
operational services department we have
got fiscal investigations the name
itself tells you so in cases of tax
evasion this department investigate into
those cases and make those people pay
their fair share of taxes we also have
customs department later on I'm going to
give a more detailed explanation about
customs. We have objections, appeals and
dispute resolution. This is one specific
department which is works quite
independently. Let me take for example
an MR officer tomorrow you're working
makes a claim for you to pay 100,000
rupees. Let's say I'm taking for sake of
explanation. So you have the option to
object against the decision of the MA
through the objections and appeal
department. Of course, if you have got
reasonable ground to believe that the
100,000 is in excess of your
requirement. So you have this
possibility, you can object and this
department is going to work out your
audit again and the possibility that we
have is to maintain the the claim to
reduce or to increase it. Let's say
you're not satisfied with the objection
and dispute resolution department. You
can still object through the ARC what we
call the assessment review committee. It
is as a tax tribunal that operates in
Mauritius where you may object to the
decision of this department. You are not
satisfied with the ARC, you can still go
to the Supreme Court of Mauritius, you
are not satisfied with the Supreme
Court, you can still go to the private
council. So what I'm telling you just to
say that we have an appeal mechanism in
place and on the on your left you're
going to notice we have got support
departments in the support department we
have got information systems finance and
administration human resources legal
services research policy and planning
and taxpayer communicate education and
communication department. On your right
you have got two divisions the internal
affair division and the internal audit
division. The internal audit says to it
that all the tasks all the activities
that are being performed by MA are being
done in accordance with the standard
operating procedures and just to tell
you that M is an ISO certified
organization. The internal affairs
division sees to it that all the
activities are done in accordance with
the procedures and in case of any
malpractices or in any breaches they
investigate into those cases. So just to
sum up it is like a police right and
this is the organization structure. We
have approximately
1,500 staff who are posted in different
units according to their specialization.
Our mission is to continually reform and
modernize revenue administration in
order to manage and operate an effective
and efficient revenue ad organization
comprising of highly motivated and
skilled staff. Our vision is to be a
world-class revenue authority. You
understand worldclass revenue authority.
We want to be the best. It seems
quite uh illogical maybe for you to
think that this small island of
Mauritius may wish to become number one
in the world. But let me tell you in the
last business ready report 2024 which
was published by World Bank Moricus is
ranked at the fifth position. So in the
first position you have New Zealand,
second Estonia, third Hong Kong, fourth
Singapore and fifth is Mauritius in
terms of ease of paying taxes and in the
previous report that is previous of
business ready there was another index
that was called uh ease of paying taxes
report again published by the World Bank
there also Mauritius was ranked fifth in
the fifth position we were even ahead of
US, Canada, Germany, England and France
and all the other countries. So just for
you to to have an idea of what we are talking
talking
about. So why we are here with the young
generation because we want you to become
the ambassadors of the a an an a a role
model for a taxpayer. So we want you to
become compliant taxpayers in the
future. So what we have been doing, we
have been going to the schools,
universities, telling people of what we
do and how those monies that we collect,
how it is spent. So let's watch a video
about the different uh education
testimonies. Hello, today's youth are
tomorrow's taxpayers. It is therefore
necessary that they made aware of the
importance of taxation with a view to
cultivate a willingness to pay rather
than an obligation to pay attitude. In
that perspective, MR resource persons
are conducting talks on their importance
of paying taxes in secondary schools
throughout the island. The duration of
the talk is around 1 hour about topics
including the role of the MR in the
Moritian economy, taxes administered,
tax collections in figures, why should
we pay tax, and more importantly how to
become a compliant taxpayer. The talk is
followed by a video projection and a
question and answer session. During the
past three years, the MRA has conducted
70 talks in more than 60 colleges,
reaching over 5,000 students, including
a few sessions via Zoom during the
pandemic period when the schools were
closed. It makes no doubt that our
potential taxpayers are being prepared
to meet their tax obligations in the
future. Tax education in schools is
accompanied by a survey with a view to
enhance the delivery of the
presentation. Why do we pay tax? It's
something that many of us are not aware
of. Now that we know why we are doing
it, what benefits we'll get in the
future. I think it facilitates our our life
interactive tax. I found the
presentation highly impressive as uh it
has provided us a deep insight of what
the Amory is doing and also about where
taxpayers money are going and how it is
being used and uh I find it that it is a
very good initiative on the part of the
Amori and I would highly recommend each
and every one of my friend to attend
The culture of tax compliance being
strengthened. It is strongly believed
that there will be a definite
improvement in the moral obligation to
voluntarily pay taxes in years to come.
You may view a series of videos on the
different aspects of taxation on our website
As a responsible organization, MRA is
not only inclined about collecting
taxes, but we also act in a way to
reduce the carbon footprint that are
being generated by different
organizations. And just to give you some
examples, we have integrated lead lights
and timers to our electrical structure
to improve energy efficiency. We have
installed solar water heaters and solar
panels outside this building. When you
go outside, you may have a look. We have
even distributed up to 20,000 plants
during our blood donors association
during our blood donation events which
we carry out every year and we have been
doing it for the past 17 years.
And in the last environmental 2024
award, we have been the second runner up
in the public sector category. So just
for you to have an an an idea, we are
going to watch a video on what we have
been doing during the past years in
terms of sustainability. [Music]
[Music]
At MRA, we believe that protecting our
environment is not just a
responsibility, but a commitment and a
duty of care towards the citizens of the
Republic of Mauritius. The Finance and
Administration Department is proud to
share with you some of the eco-friendly
measures taken by MRA. Some 200 trees
have been planted at customhouse and
some 16,000 plants have been distributed
across the island through MR blood
donation activities. At customhouse,
various measures have been implemented
to enhance sustainability and
efficiency. The building management
system has been upgraded to optimally
control the chiller for the air
conditioning system. Waterproofing has
been replaced with a higher solar
reflectance index material, minimizing
heat radiation into the building.
Rainwater is harvested in 9,000 liter
tanks and used for irrigation and
washing of MR vehicles. All vehicles
procured by MRA comply with European
emission standards. Europe knows used
oils and spare parts are recycled. For
some MR vehicles, retrading of worn
tires has resulted in an estimated
15,000 to 20,000 kilometers of extra
life per tire. Emory vehicles are
equipped with a GPS tracking system as a
way to reduce fuel costs, keeping its
vehicles at fuel efficient speeds and
improve routing. MRA has adopted a
loadable approach for sorting of office
waste like paper, cartons and plastics
for recycling purposes. The NGO M has
installed recycling bins at customhouse
for waste collection. Documents reaching
their retention period are also
industrially shredded by registered
recyclers. M recycled some 30 tons of
paper over the last 3 years. Recycling
quant of paper can save 17 trees.
Designed in accordance with the building
control act, the integrated customs
clearance center is unique in its jar. A
modern eco-friendly architecture, green
concepts such as the use of solar
energy, maximum use of daylight, natural
ventilation, rainwater harvesting
systems. The buildings are equipped with
lead lights coupled with passive
infrared sensors. The lights
automatically switch off when the
sensors detect new occupancy. At Aram
Court, lead lights have been fitted in
the building and are switched on and off
at specific times to save electricity.
MRA purchases IT equipment from leading
brands which are environmentally
compliant and use 20 to 30% less energy.
Used computers and other hardware are
disposed of in accordance with
environmental norms, followed by
recyclers approved by the Ministry of
Local Government and Disaster Risk
Management. Some 700 units were recycled
in the last 3 years. As we move forward,
MRA is committed to further enhancing
its eco-friendly measures. FAD will
continue exploring innovative
technologies, promoting energy
efficiency and integrating sustainable
practices in all MR [Music]
operations. Now let's talk about the
history of taxation.
You may not be aware in fact tax is the
second oldest profession since humanity.
So you may just have a Google to know
which one was the oldest
profession through Google. So let's have
a look the ancient
Egypt it is 3000 BC taxes were led on
land and goods at the
muamia taxes were levid on trade and
goods. Ancient Greece, citizens paid
taxes on wealth. Through the Roman
Empire, taxes were paid on land, income,
and trade. Medieval Europe, kings
imposed taxes on land, goods, and the
clergy. England tax were imposed on land
and peasants. During the French
Revolution, tax system were based on
wealth. During the industrial revolution
there was the emergence of income tax
and corporate tax and income tax the US
introduced income tax to fund the civil
war. In the 20th century, income tax
became the primary source of revenue for
most nations. And
postwar World War II, there was the
introduction of a more progressive type
of system. And during the 21st century,
there is ongoing debates about corporate
and wealth tax rates. So, let's have a
quick view of the different types of
taxes. the way it was administered
previously by different regimes, by
[Music]
etc. Hello, let's talk about
taxation. Taxes are as old as history.
The first known form of tax ducks was in
ancient Egypt around 3000 BC. During B
systems with no bank notes, no coins,
farmers paid taxes to the kings and
lords by contributing part of their
harvest. People who were too poor to pay
any form of taxation would provide their
labor free to the kingdom known as go
system. In return, the kings provided
security to the farmers fighting off the
enemies at the borders. Some system of
taxation has always been practiced from
the earliest Egyptian civilization
through the Greek, Roman and Anglo-Saxon
civilization down to the present day
civilized societies. In Mauritius, the
first income tax ordinance was enacted
in 1932 and came in force on 1st July
1933 and was there up to the 30th of June
June
2006. Income tax was being collected by
the government of Mauritius through the
income tax department. [Music]
[Music]
Today governments have replaced lords,
kings and powers by state administrators.
administrators.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority commonly
known as the MRA is mandated to collect
taxes in Mauritius and in
Rodrig. The MRA came into operation on
1st July 2006. It was following the
merger of four departments, four
government departments falling under the
ages of the ministry of finance, namely
the income tax department, the value
added tax department, the large
taxpayers department and the customs and
excise department. Taxes collected by
the MR are remitted or credited to the
consolidated fund.
The government of
Mauritius takes money from that fund to
finance all the socioeconomic projects
[Music]
Rodrig I'm only going to take some main
taxes. Uh firstly we have got income
tax. So under the income tax you have
personal income tax and corporate tax.
Personal income tax we have got
individuals who earn a salary at the end
of the months and we also have
self-employed individuals they fall
under personal income tax whereas
corporate tax we have got companies
associated trust etc they fall under the
corporate tax. Let me take a simple
example for you to understand how it
works. So personal under the personal
income tax you have got different
categories of individual right. So I'm
taking a simple one category which is an
individual with no dependent. So for
this financial year that is 2024
2025 the exemption level is 30,000 per
months. So anybody earning less than
30,000 per months is
not he will not pay income tax. Okay. So
let's take an example. Somebody earning
31,000 per month will he pay income
tax? Yes. And what will be the rate of income
tax for this particular period? I mean
this financial year the system the rate
of tax is a progressive one. It starts
from zero to four up to 20%. So for this
category for 31,000 the rate is 2%. So
how do you calculate it? It is 2%
on 31,000 is income minus the exemption
level which is 30,000. So the remainder
1,000 is a taxable amount. So 2% on
taxable amount on 1,000
also it is 20 rupees. So to cut short,
somebody earning
31,000 per month in this category will
pay 20 rupees only as income tax. Is it
okay? Is it too much? No. All right.
Just for you to have an idea how it
works. Now how income tax was introduced
in Mauritius? Let's talk about it
Hello, greetings from Zori. Today I'm
going to talk about the evolution of
income tax in Mauritius. Income tax was
first enacted in the year 1932 and came
into operation on 1st of July 1933.
However, income tax was not applied
until July 1934 due to some amendments
that were brought to law for a graduated
pole tax. The pole tax was in fact
income tax, a term that was used in
certain African colonies at that time.
An income tax branch was thereafter
established, income tax forms were
issued and returns were received. In the
first year of operations, there were some
some
1,165 taxpayers in Maicius. The
graduated pole tax was replaced in 1950
by tax levied on actual income as from
the year of assessment
195152. Other changes in the format of
income tax took place over the
subsequent half century including the
introduction of pay as you earn system
commonly known as a paye which became
effective as from July
1993. In the post independence years,
the government favored a progressive tax
based on annual earnings of taxpayers.
You will get more detailed information
on the different categories of
[Music]
you. value added tax right this is an
indirect tax what is the rate of value
added tax in
maicius this 15%. But is it levied on
all products? No. On the basic
commodities such as if you're going to
buy fish, bread, fresh vegetables, you
don't pay by the tax. But other items
are vable. Right? So when uh how are you
going to notice that a trader is VAT
registered? You're going to have the
traders will have a fixed in their uh
businesses a sticker. This is a yellow
sticker which you're going to find and it
it
is this is going to give you an
indication that the trader is VAT
registered. And what does it imply? It
implies that the trader is going to
charge you that for the sales that
they're going to make. Obviously, if it
is a vatable product, right? So at times
it happens when you go you purchase from
a VAT registered entity the trader is
going to ask you do you need a receipt?
Have you heard this? Do you need a
receipt? So in case the you see this
sticker yellow sticker it means that the
trader is a B registered entity the
question of asking whether do you need a
receipt does not arise because he has
got the obligation to issue a receipt.
Is it okay? Right? So why is it that the
trader is asking do you need a
receipt? Why why why is it so? Let me
take a simple example. You go in a shop
to buy a mobile phone. It is 10,000
rupees. 15% VAT
is 1,500. The total is
11,500. And the trader asked you do you
need a receipt? And you said no, I don't
need any receipt. So what is the reason?
What what what is going to happen here?
The trader is charging 10,000 rupees for
the mobile including his profit. This is
his money. We don't have any issue with
that. But the 15% that is the 1,500 is
not his money. This amount is allocated
for VAT which he collecting on behalf of
the MA and he has to remit to the M. Is
it all right? So in case you go through
any traders which is b registered you
are make you are ensuring that it is b
registered but not giving you receipt
you have you can ask for receipt and
it's in case if the trader refuses you
can report the matter to the m how you
will report you go on the website of the m
m
www.mu on the homepage itself there's a
complete uh icon you enter your complete
and submit even if you don't want to
give your name. This is no problem. You
can keep it anonymous. We will
investigate into those cases. So, can we
count on you on
that? Right. So,
VAT, we have done a series of spots to
create an awareness on the public that
we need to ask for receipts. So, let's
Are you sorry [Music]
Now let's talk about the other forms of
taxes that we we administer at the M. We
have got excise duty. Excise duty is
leviable on commodities which the
government want to reduce consumption
for instance alcoholic products
cigarettes and we have got other
products as well. We have a customs
duty. Customs duty is leviable on
imports. We have a tax on gaming. So
let's say somebody is is going to the
casino. So there is a tax on gambling.
We have got environment protection fee.
So there's special fee levied on
products that cause harm to the
environment. For instance, the batteries
that you have got on your mobile
phones. There's a special levy on banks.
We have got also billboard tax. Let's
say when you travel by bus or by car,
you see billboards everywhere on the
streets. So the billboard owners
depending upon the size of the billboard
and the place they are going to pay
billboard tax and we also collect
corporate social there's also corporate social
social
responsibility all profitable
institution companies in
Maicius has got the
uh has got the obligation to use 2% of
their profit towards CSR activities
right if they don't do any CSR activity
that 2% they're going to ram it to the
MA. So here we have given a brief of the
different forms of taxes. We have more
than this but just to have a brief idea
of the forms of taxes. Now that we have
spoken about the different types of
taxes, let's speak about
money. How much money we are speaking
about? You have an
idea. We said we started operation on
1st July
2006. During the first year of operation
that is 2006 2007 the MRA collected on
the left you're going to see the figures
is in million. So we have collected
during the first year
24 billion 204 million rupees that was
during the first year of operation and
this amount increased to 49 billion in 2010.
2010.
In 2015 it rose to 67 billion and in the
last financial year that is 23 24 this
figure rose to
to
150 billion
rupees. Is it okay? So that you have an
idea when we are spoking about taxation
how much money we are speaking. Now the
question is where does the money
go? That 150 billion
rupees. Do you think some some coins
come to your
pocket? Do you think
so? Where
go? Yeah. We we tend to believe that
other people uses the money. We tend to
believe z we don't know who
they get the money. It goes in their
pocket. Whose pocket? But it comes back
to our pockets as well. Let me take
example. We have got West Coast here
which is a private institution. Is that
it? Right. The pay for their school,
right? Whereas other uh colleges that we
have got here, Lorto College and S Josef
where you are not paying the fees.
Why? If we are taking the example of HSC
students. So who is paying the fees? It
is approximately on average of 20 20,000
per month. Who pays that 20,000 per
months? It comes from the consolidated
fund. I'm speaking of one student. Just
imagine how many students we have got in
Maicius from pre- primary to primary,
secondary and even tertiary is free of
charge. So this money comes
from the consolidated fund. Yes. The
coins doesn't come directly to you but
it comes to you in the form of education
right even the colleges you have already
passed your SC exams but even that you
haven't paid it who paid
it is the government through the
consolidated fund so we have so many
examples to show that the money that we
are speaking about comes back to
you there are so many other social
welfare activities We're going to view a
video later on to see about the
different facilities that people get and
government also use funds from the
consolidated fund to fund government
projects such as building of schools,
colleges, bridge, roads, etc. Right? So
let's watch a video about how the money
that is collected then which goes in the
consolidated fund and how it is used. [Music]
[Music] Are
Are you
[Music] Foreign!
[Music] Fore! Foreign! Foreign!
for [Music]
Now let's talk about the customs department. As I mentioned earlier,
department. As I mentioned earlier, customs is part and parcel of the MA. It
customs is part and parcel of the MA. It is one department whose role is to
is one department whose role is to collect revenue for the state in terms
collect revenue for the state in terms of the customs excise duties. It ensures
of the customs excise duties. It ensures national security. It protects the
national security. It protects the society. It prevents illicit flows of
society. It prevents illicit flows of financial flows and also facilitates the
financial flows and also facilitates the legitimate movement of people and goods
legitimate movement of people and goods across the border. And to facilitate the
across the border. And to facilitate the legitimate movement of goods, we have
legitimate movement of goods, we have got intrusive equipment as well to
got intrusive equipment as well to detect prohibited items. We are going to
detect prohibited items. We are going to view a video about the use of equipments
view a video about the use of equipments that we we use at the
that we we use at the MR. As I mentioned, we use several
MR. As I mentioned, we use several techniques to detect prohibited goods.
techniques to detect prohibited goods. We also have a canine dogs under the
We also have a canine dogs under the canine unit which we have got 16 dogs
canine unit which we have got 16 dogs canine dogs in total which fall under
canine dogs in total which fall under the responsibility of the customs
the responsibility of the customs anti-narcotic section. So they are here
anti-narcotic section. So they are here to detect the any prohibited item. So we
to detect the any prohibited item. So we have in our midst today our heroes but
have in our midst today our heroes but I'll ask uh the audience including uh
I'll ask uh the audience including uh media not to take their pictures because
media not to take their pictures because they work behind the scene and they are
they work behind the scene and they are the real officers who do the job. So we
the real officers who do the job. So we have in our mids Mr.
have in our mids Mr. Bond, Jack Bond 001. He is the first
Bond, Jack Bond 001. He is the first generation of K9 experts and he's
generation of K9 experts and he's actually in charge of this unit of the
actually in charge of this unit of the K9 unit. So, Mr. Bon, can you hear me?
K9 unit. So, Mr. Bon, can you hear me? Hello,
Hello, Doc. We are here. Okay. Okay. Mr. Bon,
Doc. We are here. Okay. Okay. Mr. Bon, wait. Wait for a second. And we have
wait. Wait for a second. And we have also among us. He's Mr. Bean Roin.
also among us. He's Mr. Bean Roin. He is a dog
He is a dog handler. He handles one of the canine
handler. He handles one of the canine dog. And the canine dog is
dog. And the canine dog is Nakra. Nakra is very intelligent. He's 7
Nakra. Nakra is very intelligent. He's 7 years old. And he has been working with
years old. And he has been working with the MR for the past seven years. And he
the MR for the past seven years. And he has he can detect drugs, currencies and
has he can detect drugs, currencies and tobacco. Right? This is his specialtity.
tobacco. Right? This is his specialtity. But what we are going to do, we are
But what we are going to do, we are going to do a live demonstration of how
going to do a live demonstration of how our canine dogs act upon prohibited
our canine dogs act upon prohibited items. So firstly, we are going to uh
items. So firstly, we are going to uh try to detect canabis or drugs. So you
try to detect canabis or drugs. So you may watch. So we are going to do a live
may watch. So we are going to do a live demonstration. We're going to use the
demonstration. We're going to use the samples that we have at our end. Let's
samples that we have at our end. Let's start.
start. Okay. Dr.
As you may see a very good sample of
see a very good sample of cannabis found by canine nakrit. Now we
cannabis found by canine nakrit. Now we are going to proceed with another
are going to proceed with another exercise. I will ask any volunteer from
exercise. I will ask any volunteer from the audience to give a bank note and
the audience to give a bank note and we're going to see if n can take that
we're going to see if n can take that bank note in one of those bags. So we
bank note in one of those bags. So we have one uh friend here. He's giving
have one uh friend here. He's giving us a bank note.
us a bank note. Yes, we will put it in the
bag. And uh let me tell you that for the previous year that is
previous year that is 2024, the MRA has seized drugs which is
2024, the MRA has seized drugs which is of market value more than 2.4 billion
of market value more than 2.4 billion rupees. So just imagine about how much
rupees. So just imagine about how much havoc drugs is causing to this society.
havoc drugs is causing to this society. So, our friend Sylv is handing over this
So, our friend Sylv is handing over this bank note from the gentleman to Mr.
bank note from the gentleman to Mr. Bond. This is a pack note. It's It's not
Bond. This is a pack note. It's It's not a 2,000 bank note. It's a 500. Okay.
a 2,000 bank note. It's a 500. Okay. This 500 bank note he's putting in one
This 500 bank note he's putting in one of the bags.
So, this dog has been trained to detect banknotes
banknotes currency. But, uh bear with him. It's
currency. But, uh bear with him. It's only one bank note. Now we actually uh
only one bank note. Now we actually uh trying to to detect. Let's
see. Good talking. Good job.
talking. Good job. Good job. Good job.
Good job. Good job. So remove the bank note.
So remove the bank note. And in the previous year the dogs have
And in the previous year the dogs have seized we have made I mean M customs MR
seized we have made I mean M customs MR customs has made 86 cases in terms of
customs has made 86 cases in terms of currency amounting to 67 million rupees.
currency amounting to 67 million rupees. Yes. That was for
Yes. That was for 2024 which I call the fire rapid fire
2024 which I call the fire rapid fire segment. Right? So what we're going to
segment. Right? So what we're going to do in this segment, I'm going to ask a
do in this segment, I'm going to ask a few questions. So the first one who
few questions. So the first one who raises his or her hand is going to
raises his or her hand is going to get one MR
get one MR pen,
pen, right? Yeah. Not
right? Yeah. Not yet. So we can please uh be ready. my
yet. So we can please uh be ready. my team. So the first question is which
team. So the first question is which country was ranked on the 10th place in
country was ranked on the 10th place in the B ready 2024 index? We seen the top
the B ready 2024 index? We seen the top 10 countries. Is that it? You
10 countries. Is that it? You remember? So which country was on the
remember? So which country was on the 10th position? So we got somebody two.
10th position? So we got somebody two. Yes, laser two. We have another one.
Yes, laser two. We have another one. We're going taking these
We're going taking these two. Okay. So Lizo 2 is the right
two. Okay. So Lizo 2 is the right answer. Give them their choose.
Okay. The answer is Lizo 2. Right. We have got another question. Income tax
have got another question. Income tax was enacted in
was enacted in 1932. It came into operation in 1933 and
1932. It came into operation in 1933 and applied in 1934. This is what you have
applied in 1934. This is what you have seen from the video. What was the number
seen from the video. What was the number of
of taxpayers actually in the first year of
taxpayers actually in the first year of operation of income tax in Maicius? The
operation of income tax in Maicius? The number of
number of taxpayers.
Anyone? 34 34 33 Yes. No. No. We take a last one. 1,165.
last one. 1,165. Yes.
Yeah. In fact, in the first year of operation in Maicius, we had
1,165 taxpayers. The third question, in which year VAT
The third question, in which year VAT was introduced in Mauritius and what was
was introduced in Mauritius and what was the VAT
the VAT rate? In which year VAT was introduced
rate? In which year VAT was introduced in Mauritius and what was the VAT rate
in Mauritius and what was the VAT rate at that
time? I one one uh 2006 and the VAT rate was 2%. No, it's wrong. We take one one
was 2%. No, it's wrong. We take one one more. One more.
more. One more. One more. Uh so it was uh in 2006 15%.
One more. Uh so it was uh in 2006 15%. No, in fact the VAT was introduced in
No, in fact the VAT was introduced in Malaysia in 1998 and during the first
Malaysia in 1998 and during the first year the rate was
year the rate was 10%. Okay. The fourth question. What is
10%. Okay. The fourth question. What is the total contribution in the
the total contribution in the consolidated
consolidated fund by the MRA since its operation in
fund by the MRA since its operation in 2006? So from the inception of the MRA,
2006? So from the inception of the MRA, how much has the MRA contributed in the
how much has the MRA contributed in the consolidated fund? Give me a
consolidated fund? Give me a figure. Give me a figure. How much has
figure. Give me a figure. How much has contributed in the consolidated fund?
No, in fact, MRA has contributed more than one trillion
contributed more than one trillion rupees in the consolidated advent more
rupees in the consolidated advent more than one trillion during the nearly 20
than one trillion during the nearly 20 years. I'll give you a simple question.
years. I'll give you a simple question. So, try your best.
So, try your best. who was the director
who was the director general of the MRA when MR came into
general of the MRA when MR came into operations in 20 in
operations in 20 in 2006 or deis who was a der
2006 or deis who was a der general everybody knows the answer
general everybody knows the answer yes it seems that everybody knows the
yes it seems that everybody knows the answer so what we are going to do on the
answer so what we are going to do on the on behalf of the director general and
on behalf of the director general and the MR we are pleased to offer one pen
the MR we are pleased to offer one pen to everybody in the
audience. Right. So now let's move to the next segment which is question and
the next segment which is question and answer. So in case you have got any
answer. So in case you have got any questions or clarifications that you
questions or clarifications that you require, please feel free to ask.
require, please feel free to ask. Anybody just raise your hands. We're
Anybody just raise your hands. We're going to answer to your
going to answer to your questions. Yes.
questions. Yes. Okay. So one question I have is how
Okay. So one question I have is how successful has the MRA been at reducing
successful has the MRA been at reducing tax evasion in Maitius over the past
tax evasion in Maitius over the past decade and is there any specific
decade and is there any specific statistics you can share with us?
statistics you can share with us? So what we have done in terms of tax
So what we have done in terms of tax evasion so I'll request if if DG if you
evasion so I'll request if if DG if you could answer to the question sir.
could answer to the question sir. We have a fiscal investigation
department. The job of which is uh to identify and uh
identify and uh tax the
tax the anti-axion and the and the fraud and the
anti-axion and the and the fraud and the anti-axion.
anti-axion. Uh we we collect
Uh we we collect around a billion of
around a billion of rupees from the tax
rupees from the tax evanion about 1 billion from the normal
evanion about 1 billion from the normal assessments and
assessments and uh about half billion from
uh about half billion from the objections and
the objections and educations. Whereas the voluntary taxes
educations. Whereas the voluntary taxes paid by through the income tax and the
paid by through the income tax and the corporate tax they are
corporate tax they are around 30 30 billion of rupees. So in a
around 30 30 billion of rupees. So in a year we do we do
year we do we do identify about 4 to 500 taxian cases and
identify about 4 to 500 taxian cases and then their assessments are made. they go
then their assessments are made. they go in appeal but we we do tax we do collect
in appeal but we we do tax we do collect around a billion of rupees only through
around a billion of rupees only through tax.
tax. How does the MRA assess the impact of
How does the MRA assess the impact of its tax incentives on the local economy?
its tax incentives on the local economy? Tax
Tax incentives and tax exemptions are
incentives and tax exemptions are given by the government to
given by the government to promote
promote certain
certain industries or to promote certain classes
industries or to promote certain classes of
taxpayers like uh say airlines. Now
uh say airlines. Now it's in the business of
it's in the business of airlines
airlines you would see that the costs are very
you would see that the costs are very high. So a government would give a tax
high. So a government would give a tax incentive for the investment in the
incentive for the investment in the airline business or for purchase of
airline business or for purchase of their spare parts for some years. So
their spare parts for some years. So there are several tax
there are several tax exemptions, there are several tax
exemptions, there are several tax incentives and uh the total tax
incentives and uh the total tax incentives if you quantify in monitor
incentives if you quantify in monitor monetary terms they would also be more
monetary terms they would also be more than 10 billion rupees. But as I said
than 10 billion rupees. But as I said these incentives are given by the
these incentives are given by the government to attract investment in
government to attract investment in certain sectors where it is shy or to to
certain sectors where it is shy or to to to give a respite to the taxpayer where
to give a respite to the taxpayer where the profitability is less anymore. Okay
the profitability is less anymore. Okay with we are going to take those two okay
with we are going to take those two okay free last questions. Okay. Uh I wanted
free last questions. Okay. Uh I wanted to ask what taxes apply when buying,
to ask what taxes apply when buying, selling or renting a property in
selling or renting a property in Mauritius. C can you repeat the sound
Mauritius. C can you repeat the sound also please? I
also please? I see what taxes apply when buying,
see what taxes apply when buying, selling or renting a property in
selling or renting a property in Mauricius.
Mauricius. So your question is what tax is being
So your question is what tax is being applied on buying and selling a rental
applied on buying and selling a rental property? So buying and selling a rental
property? So buying and selling a rental property is considered as a normal
property is considered as a normal business and the businessman should
business and the businessman should apply its tax rate accordingly on the
apply its tax rate accordingly on the revenue on the net profit. In fact it is
revenue on the net profit. In fact it is a chargeable income it is 15% for any
a chargeable income it is 15% for any type of for example the real estate
type of for example the real estate properties real estate investment it is
properties real estate investment it is 15%.
15%. But it is applied on its chargeable
But it is applied on its chargeable income and I I don't know whether you
income and I I don't know whether you understand chargeable income but
understand chargeable income but chargeable income is the profit which is
chargeable income is the profit which is chargeable for tax purposes and we have
chargeable for tax purposes and we have your turnover less expenses and we we
your turnover less expenses and we we arrive at the net income and then income
arrive at the net income and then income is not the we do not apply the tax rate
is not the we do not apply the tax rate on the net income but we do apply on the
on the net income but we do apply on the chargeable income which is made up of
chargeable income which is made up of that is a net income you have the
that is a net income you have the allowable deductions and the
allowable deductions and the unauthorized deductions we arrive at the
unauthorized deductions we arrive at the chargeable income and then you can apply
chargeable income and then you can apply your tax rate 15%.
your tax rate 15%. So my question is what are all the
So my question is what are all the products that you have seized uh where
products that you have seized uh where are they what are done with them?
are they what are done with them? Yes.
Yes. Uh good morning students. So products
Uh good morning students. So products products we have at customs many
products we have at customs many products uh main products
products uh main products sees let's see
sees let's see no so when he sees after the trial trial
no so when he sees after the trial trial at the court
at the court then presence of police custom these are
then presence of police custom these are destroyed at at at specified places no
destroyed at at at specified places no normally at the lime barrack
normally at the lime barrack But at customs we also seize
But at customs we also seize many intellectual property
many intellectual property rights as you see in the video uh
rights as you see in the video uh counterfeit
counterfeit watchers closings. So these are done at
watchers closings. So these are done at the lshed marge all under supervision of
the lshed marge all under supervision of the rat holders also in supervision of
the rat holders also in supervision of customs and the finance department. So
customs and the finance department. So we destroy this on one day then the next
we destroy this on one day then the next day depends on the types of goods we
day depends on the types of goods we dispose it at moles or at approved
dispose it at moles or at approved e-waste recyclers or at other approved
e-waste recyclers or at other approved places by m environment. So mainly
places by m environment. So mainly customs seas products we have also
customs seas products we have also many things that we have in contraan we
many things that we have in contraan we do sell we dispose these goods at our
do sell we dispose these goods at our auction sale we have in place our online
auction sale we have in place our online uh auction sale system. So at the
uh auction sale system. So at the specified times you can go to our
specified times you can go to our website you will see these goods are
website you will see these goods are disposed we sell these goods we sell
disposed we sell these goods we sell these goods and all the money go to the
these goods and all the money go to the consolidated
consolidated fund the money for our own purpose so we
fund the money for our own purpose so we are going to take a final question
are going to take a final question please final one why is the MRA used as
please final one why is the MRA used as a political tool against the citizens of
a political tool against the citizens of Maitius
Maitius can you repeat please why is the MA used
can you repeat please why is the MA used as a political tool against the citizens
as a political tool against the citizens of Maitius.
M is a revenue authority enacted under an act of
authority enacted under an act of parliament as a revenue authority to
parliament as a revenue authority to administer revenue
administer revenue loss and to collect taxes.
loss and to collect taxes. MRA
MRA acts under income tax act, customs
acts under income tax act, customs act, excise act, VAT act and the MRA act
act, excise act, VAT act and the MRA act and it cannot be used for political
and it cannot be used for political purposes because they only impose taxes
purposes because they only impose taxes on the incomes in accordance with law.
on the incomes in accordance with law. So with that question we end this
So with that question we end this segment and uh you have one question
segment and uh you have one question last. Okay, we have lost we take from
last. Okay, we have lost we take from one of the teachers please. But this is
one of the teachers please. But this is the last question.
Tomorrow is women's day. Uh so I would like to know uh what about women
like to know uh what about women inclusion in MO
in terms of management level in terms of participation?
participation? Yeah,
Yeah, MRA is an equal
MRA is an equal opportunity employer
opportunity employer organization. It is
organization. It is also
also registered under corporate governance
registered under corporate governance and we have
and we have a designated policy for gender
a designated policy for gender discrimination in uh the revenue
discrimination in uh the revenue departments.
means all the departments of MRA excluding
departments of MRA excluding customs. So in those
customs. So in those departments we have more women than
departments we have more women than men. So it's not only question of
men. So it's not only question of inclusivity. In fact, in our
inclusivity. In fact, in our organization, women are more than
organization, women are more than men. As far
men. As far as customs is
as customs is concerned, at
concerned, at the start in
the start in 2006, we had 11% women and now they are
2006, we had 11% women and now they are 43%. But I believe in a year or so,
43%. But I believe in a year or so, women would exceed that the men.
women would exceed that the men. Previously in customs since it's a it's
Previously in customs since it's a it's a department which requires denied
a department which requires denied postings going to the fields going to
postings going to the fields going to the sea. So some some women wouldn't
the sea. So some some women wouldn't like to come but now in Maicius women
like to come but now in Maicius women are as active as smart as participating
are as active as smart as participating as men. And in fact now our condition is
as men. And in fact now our condition is that in the revenue departments women
that in the revenue departments women are 62% and and and the men are 48%.
are 62% and and and the men are 48%. We have reached the end of the session.
We have reached the end of the session. So to for the closing I will invite Mr.
So to for the closing I will invite Mr. Luchan please. Thank you very much.
Luchan please. Thank you very much. Thank you Dr. Tikka for this enriching
Thank you Dr. Tikka for this enriching session. Now as we move towards the
session. Now as we move towards the conclusion of today's program I would
conclusion of today's program I would like to invite representatives of
like to invite representatives of various colleges to say a few word for
various colleges to say a few word for westwood west coast international
westwood west coast international college representing the student we
college representing the student we have and teacher miss nenbug. So please,
have and teacher miss nenbug. So please, dear Maitius Revenue Authority, on
dear Maitius Revenue Authority, on behalf of economics and business form
behalf of economics and business form six students from West Coast
six students from West Coast International Secondary School, I would
International Secondary School, I would like to thank you for hosting us at the
like to thank you for hosting us at the auditorium of integrated customs
auditorium of integrated customs clearance center
clearance center ICC. This was a highly educational
ICC. This was a highly educational experience which allowed us to learn
experience which allowed us to learn further more on the taxation in Maitius.
further more on the taxation in Maitius. It was an wonderful time as we
It was an wonderful time as we experienced the opportunity to know more
experienced the opportunity to know more on the use and impact of taxation here.
on the use and impact of taxation here. This enhanced our learning experience
This enhanced our learning experience while directly interacting with your
while directly interacting with your lovely team along the way. Thank you
lovely team along the way. Thank you once again as we are so grateful to have
once again as we are so grateful to have been given this opportunity and it was
been given this opportunity and it was certainly an unforgettable experience
certainly an unforgettable experience for us all. Thank you once. Thank you
for us all. Thank you once. Thank you Kara. Now we have Miss Nurbat with your
Kara. Now we have Miss Nurbat with your addresses.
addresses. Hello everyone. I just wanted to to send
Hello everyone. I just wanted to to send a huge thank you for organizing such an
a huge thank you for organizing such an awesome trip for all our students of
awesome trip for all our students of form six economics and business. The
form six economics and business. The experience I think has really helped
experience I think has really helped them to connect the theories and
them to connect the theories and practice together. It's going to be one
practice together. It's going to be one it is usually one thing to learn in
it is usually one thing to learn in classroom but seeing it in real life
classroom but seeing it in real life made everything click for them. I'm
made everything click for them. I'm really sure that they are going to be
really sure that they are going to be talking about the live experiences for
talking about the live experiences for weeks. Um and thank you everyone for
weeks. Um and thank you everyone for making um all of us feel so welcomed.
making um all of us feel so welcomed. The students I I'm sure really
The students I I'm sure really appreciated everything that you've done.
appreciated everything that you've done. We've had a really fantastic time and
We've had a really fantastic time and thank you yet again. Thank you Miss
thank you yet again. Thank you Miss Hosen. Now from the laor of Rosil
Hosen. Now from the laor of Rosil College we have a student Grace Debraas
College we have a student Grace Debraas who will address us some words. Good
who will address us some words. Good morning to you all. So first of all the
morning to you all. So first of all the members of the teaching staff and us
members of the teaching staff and us students of
students of LCR. Thank you all for welcoming us
LCR. Thank you all for welcoming us today. I will classify today's session
today. I will classify today's session as a merit good because the information
as a merit good because the information about taxation today will not only be
about taxation today will not only be useful to me as a student to have a
useful to me as a student to have a greater understanding of the concept of
greater understanding of the concept of taxation which is part of my SE exam but
taxation which is part of my SE exam but also I will be able to share my with my
also I will be able to share my with my parents, students and relatives the role
parents, students and relatives the role of taxation in the MRA in Mauritius.
of taxation in the MRA in Mauritius. Thank you again and wishing you all a
Thank you again and wishing you all a good day ahead.
good day ahead. Thank you Grace. Now and finally we have
Thank you Grace. Now and finally we have from the
from the college to address somewhere please.
May I see? Now I now invite Mr. Tagari, assistant director to deliver his
assistant director to deliver his closing remarks for today's event. Mr.
closing remarks for today's event. Mr. Tagari, please once again. So thank you.
Tagari, please once again. So thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Luchen.
Thank you very much, Mr. Luchen. Dear students, ladies and gentlemen, as
Dear students, ladies and gentlemen, as we come to the conclusion of this third
we come to the conclusion of this third edition of the MRA study tour, we would
edition of the MRA study tour, we would like to express our heartfelt
like to express our heartfelt appreciation to each one of you for your
appreciation to each one of you for your active participation and enthusiasm.
active participation and enthusiasm. It has been an insightful session where
It has been an insightful session where we explored the importance of taxation,
we explored the importance of taxation, the role of compliance and the
the role of compliance and the significant contribution of the c of the
significant contribution of the c of the customs department in ensuring border
customs department in ensuring border protection. Today we have seen that
protection. Today we have seen that taxation is not just about paying money
taxation is not just about paying money to the government. It is about nation
to the government. It is about nation building, fairness and shared
building, fairness and shared responsibility. Taxes turn to the very
responsibility. Taxes turn to the very services that we all rely on. Our
services that we all rely on. Our education, health care, roads and
education, health care, roads and security. Without taxation, no country
security. Without taxation, no country can develop and function effectively.
can develop and function effectively. Through our discussions, you have gained
Through our discussions, you have gained a clearer understanding of how tax
a clearer understanding of how tax compliance ensures economic stability,
compliance ensures economic stability, how tax evasion negatively in impacts
how tax evasion negatively in impacts society, and how the MR works to create
society, and how the MR works to create a fair and transparent system for all.
a fair and transparent system for all. Moreover, the role of the customs
Moreover, the role of the customs department in protecting our borders
department in protecting our borders against illegal trade and ensuring the
against illegal trade and ensuring the safety of our citizens was an eyeopener
safety of our citizens was an eyeopener proving that tax administration extends
proving that tax administration extends beyond revenue collection to
beyond revenue collection to safeguarding the interests of the
safeguarding the interests of the nation. Our director general Mr. Sudal
nation. Our director general Mr. Sudal he announced already a very excite
he announced already a very excite exciting project the creation of tax
exciting project the creation of tax clubs in secondary schools. So as part
clubs in secondary schools. So as part of our ongoing discussions with the
of our ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Education and Human
Ministry of Education and Human Resource, we aim to create platforms
Resource, we aim to create platforms where students like you can engage in
where students like you can engage in discussions and taxation, learn about
discussions and taxation, learn about financial responsibility and develop
financial responsibility and develop leadership skills in tax awareness
leadership skills in tax awareness campaigns within their schools.
campaigns within their schools. These tax clubs will serve as a space
These tax clubs will serve as a space where you students can take the lead in
where you students can take the lead in understanding taxation in an interactive
understanding taxation in an interactive and practical
and practical way through activities such
way through activities such as organizing debates and discussions on
as organizing debates and discussions on related topics, hosting guest speakers
related topics, hosting guest speakers from the MR and other financial experts,
from the MR and other financial experts, conducting peer-to-peer learning
conducting peer-to-peer learning sessions,
sessions, and participating in community awareness
and participating in community awareness programs on taxation and compliance. By
programs on taxation and compliance. By creating these clubs, we are investing
creating these clubs, we are investing in you, the next generation of
in you, the next generation of responsible citizens. Our objective is
responsible citizens. Our objective is to equip you with the knowledge and
to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the financial
skills needed to navigate the financial world with confidence and integrity. As
world with confidence and integrity. As you leave the auditorium, this
you leave the auditorium, this auditorium today, we hope that you carry
auditorium today, we hope that you carry with you not just information but a
with you not just information but a sense of responsibility towards your
sense of responsibility towards your country and its
country and its progress. The choices you make in the
progress. The choices you make in the future, whether as professionals,
future, whether as professionals, entrepreneurs or business owners, will
entrepreneurs or business owners, will shape the economic landscape of
shape the economic landscape of Mauritius.
Mauritius. We encourage you to continue learning,
We encourage you to continue learning, questioning, and participating actively
questioning, and participating actively in national matters. Remember, an
in national matters. Remember, an informed youth is a powerful force for
informed youth is a powerful force for change. Once again, thank you all for
change. Once again, thank you all for your time and engagement as well as the
your time and engagement as well as the educators and the MR team for making
educators and the MR team for making this event a success.
this event a success. We look forward to seeing you again
We look forward to seeing you again perhaps as members of the first ever tax
perhaps as members of the first ever tax clubs in Mauritius in your schools.
clubs in Mauritius in your schools. Thank you and I wish you all the very
Thank you and I wish you all the very best. Thank you very
best. Thank you very [Music]
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