The government has signed the Country Engagement Plan on Tax for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve the tax system in the Maldives.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer and Commissioner General of Taxation Fathuhulla Jameel on behalf of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). The government aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Maldivian tax system, and accelerate the progress of attaining SDGs with the initiative.
Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner General of Taxation Jameel highlighted the importance of such a programme to modernise the tax system. He highlighted the various challenges due to the digitalised global economy, gender-based taxes, and lack of taxation of legally unidentifiable businesses. He commended UNDP for assisting the Maldives in improving its tax system while also achieving its SDGs.
MIRA stated it will be focusing on two main areas under the programme, which include establishing a data governance framework to achieve tax digitalisation goals and developing the enterprise risk management framework and business continuity plan.
UNDP stated taxes contribute to the growth and better outcomes in the environment, health, gender and other SDGs areas, and that the signing of the Country Engagement Plan will strengthen fiscal space and capacities for efficient and equitable tax systems.