Azeski: Business sector sets four questions ahead of debate on draft-tax reform
Skopje, 9 August 2022 (MIA) – Ahead of debate on the draft-tax reform, the business sector demands answers to four questions that were presented on Tuesday by the President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, Branko Azeski.
Representatives of the business sector call on the Government to give answer on how far along are the Eurobond borrowing procedures and the International Monetary Fund credit line, and what is the situation with the requests and proposals from the Macedonian Energy Association (MEA). In terms of the tax reforms, the Chamber believes there should be precise terms and conditions to which the state will commit for better services to the private sector, eliminating parafiscal charges and reduction of gray economy.
“The Chamber has received the draft concept for tax reforms, which should be the basis for a public debate in the coming period. A bit strange, because I expected discussions about our proposals on the number one problem, which is the price of electricity. Until the draft concept for tax reforms arrived, I also exchanged views with the officials in the Chamber, who had four questions to ask me. Seeing those questions as questions of essential importance, I decided to publicly present them before the debate starts, because the proposer as well calls for transparency in the debate. In addition to them, initial reactions were also in terms of the issues of tax evasion and what is being done in that regard, suggesting to first make use of internal possibilities before opening the debate, which comes at an extremely difficult time for the business,” Azeski said in an open letter to the public.
MEA’s proposals for a way out of the energy crisis, Azeski adds, were intended for the companies and require an immediate and decisive response from economic policy makers to save the real sector.
“Isn’t it natural that the draft concept for tax reforms includes precise terms and conditions to which the state will commit to offer better quality services to the private sector; deadlines for digitalization, eliminating parafiscal charges, as well as reducing gray economy and corruption? The business expects an offer of a ping-pong solution, which means that before the state decides to increase taxes, it has to prove to the tax payers that it is efficient, effective, transparent, and that it offers quality services,” Azevski said.
According to him, the state needs a framework economic agreement, regarding which the Assembly of the Chamber calls for consensus and support from all entities in terms of its sooner implementation.
