The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has commended the crucial role editors play in shaping stories that showcase the country’s progress in various sectors, including tax collection. MRA’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Wilma Chalulu, made these remarks following a tour organised for editors from various media outlets across the country.
The media tour showcased operational improvements at key border stations, made possible by the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) initiative.
The purpose of the tour was to help media editors appreciate how these changes are impacting revenue collection and efficiency at border stations such as Dedza and Mchinji.
“The objective of this tour was for editors to gain a better understanding of our border operations,” said Wilma Chalulu, MRA’s Communications and Marketing Manager.
“We have witnessed significant improvements, including the rehabilitation of railway lines and enhanced operations at the One-Stop Border Posts, funded by the World Bank and the African Development Bank,” Chalulu added.
Revenue collection at Dedza has surged from K5 billion to K16 billion annually, thanks to these streamlined processes.
“By housing all agencies under one roof, we’ve fostered closer collaboration with neighbouring countries and improved data exchange,” Chalulu explained, adding, “This enables us to forecast revenue more accurately and combat smuggling more effectively.”
A local customs clearing agent echoed the benefits of these improvements.
“The One-Stop Border Post has significantly sped up the clearing of goods,” he said, adding, “Once duties are paid, goods can be cleared within 24 hours, a significant improvement over the previous system.”
Gracian Tukula, Editor at Nation Publications Limited, praised the initiative, noting, “This tour has helped us better understand the challenges MRA faces, such as smuggling, and how the media can contribute by informing the public and aiding national development.”
Recently, the MRA has been training journalists on new tax measures, taking them on tours of remote routes and OSBPs.
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