BUSINESS

Mbeya businesses complain over high taxes on imported goods

Big business owners in Mbeya Region have threatened that they are not going to transport goods to Mbeya Region due to high taxation rate imposed on imported goods in the region.

They said taxes charged Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) in the region are so exorbitant in such a way that they surpass the price of the products.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the businessmen said they are tired with the TRA officers in the region who impose high taxes on imported goods, adding that was not the experience in other regions.

The practice also discourages us to import goods from neighbouring countries, they said.

Mbeya Region which is located in the south west of the country imports some products from neghbouring Zambia, Malawi and sometimes South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Giving an example, Protence Chrispin Mpora, a businessman from Mbeya Region said in January this year, he imported two vehicles from Malawi, adding that he was so expensively taxed that the amount even surpassed the purchase price.

The complaints come hardly a month after the Tanzania Investment Centre in South Western zone blamed TRA for undermining efforts by businessmen to invest in the area.

TIC Zone manager Daudi Riukanda speaking during a training seminar said ever since he arrived in the region, he has been receiving complaints over TRA officers performance from businessmen.

Responding, TRA regional manager Frank Mkwe said he was surprised by the complaints, particularly because the tax agency has been working to see that its operations with businesses are in decorum.