The Private Sector Commission (PSC) met with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, to discuss various issues that the business community has in dealing with the GRA.
A release from the PSC said that among the issues discussed were delays in the processing of import and export documents and Commissioner General (CG) Letters; timely VAT Audit and Refund; implementing of GRA systems at Ogle Airport to put it on par with CJIA Airport; issuing of licence/CG letters to businesses for a specific period.
During the discussion, the PSC said it expressed its frustration with the many PSC/GRA meetings that have yielded little or no results. The PSC says it was represented by members from the manufacturing, aviation, forestry and service sectors.
The GRA was told by the PSC that businesses have to wait up to three weeks for the processing of CG Letters that should take between 2-3 days. The processing of documents for import and export duties are also delayed, which can see containers being held up for at least 6 weeks, resulting in a reduction of business; loss of sales and profits and of demurrage.
It was recommended that to avoid bribery while processing documents, that the GRA should give priority to businesses that have a good history of compliance and to implement the Recognized Economic Operator System that is in place in other jurisdictions, the PSC said.
Being aware that GRA is not the only agency that deals with the processing of import and export documents, the PSC said it was advised that more collaboration should be established between those agencies. In addition, to ensure efficiency the PSC suggested that containers could be transported to the business premises for inspection to reduce the congestion at the wharves.
The PSC said it was pleased to hear that the GRA would be meeting with the other agencies involved in the processing of import and export documents to decide on a more effective approach. It was also stated that officers were put in charge to deal specifically with CG Letters and other categories of importation; additionally, consideration will be given to the issuance of CG Letters for a specific period. The PSC was further told that the Minister of Finance has already considered the resuscitation of the PSC/GRA Sub-group Meetings.
In addition, the PSC said it was told that it can expect to see the GRA Ogle Airport staff being capable of dealing with GRA matters as CJIA Airport staff. When dealing with “short shipment” the already processed documents will be amended, rather than starting the process anew.
The Guyana Revenue Authority has also informed the PSC that a team will be designated to meet with manufacturers to discuss specific issues. Also, it was noted that within the coming weeks, GRA will amend the affected SOPs to reflect the recommendations of this meeting and a release will be made to the public detailing with the changes, the PSC said.
