Crown Agents' implementation of TRIPS™-Integrated Revenue solution is supporting the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to introduce VAT. This includes business processes and system automation, and the subsequent integration of internal revenue streams (Income Tax, VAT) and Customs and Trade administration.
Our technical advisors have supported the successful introduction of VAT, which came in on 1 January 2007. Commenting on the first filing date for VAT returns, Mr Kurshid Sattaur, Commissioner General of GRA, said:
"I am pleased to report that more than 75 per cent of registrants met this deadline. This is one of the highest percentages of compliance for any new VAT implementation anywhere in the world, if not the highest percentage and the amount of revenue collected - more than $900 million - exceeded our expectations."
The Customs and Trade Administration has also benefited from TRIPS™ and Crown Agents' consultancy support. A Simplified Customs Declaration, requiring only four steps, has replaced the 15 step manual household and personal clearance procedures. This came into effect 3 December 2007, for the peak of the Christmas season.
GRA extended our original contract as a consequence of new facilities supported by TRIPS™. GRA is keen to exploit the extra possibilities presented by TRIPS™ and recognized that its existing operational processes were no longer as modern as the system supporting them.
Image above shows Hema Khan, VAT Commissioner, receiving the first VAT return, February 2007