The Mozambican Tax Authority (AT) recently recognized the city of Nacala, in Nampula province, as the most important customs territory in the country’s northern region, revealing that it has had a positive influence on customs tax revenues.
“Nacala is currently a vital customs area for the country’s balance of payments and, in particular, for the northern region, from the point of view of its capacity to collect external taxes,” said the AT commander for that city, João Salpiel, quoted by the Mozambican Information Agency (AIM).
According to the official, the positive figures are also due to the fact that the city is home to the port of Nacala, one of the most used in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region for exports, and an important infrastructure for the country’s economy.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony for the new infrastructures and equipment at the port of Nacala, the commander explained that the development is fundamental for the overall revenue of the northern region, noting that last year the AT managed to collect eight billion meticais in customs revenue.
“With the new structure, the port promises to be one of the most competitive and this will help us to be more flexible in collecting revenue due to its connection with the hinterland countries. Nacala is now of greater interest, a factor that will require the customs authorities to improve their collection mechanisms,” he said.
Meanwhile, as a way of streamlining AT operations within the port, the source explained that two modern scanner points have been installed to ensure greater flexibility.
The work to expand and modernize the port of Nacala began in 2018 and included the reconstruction of the northern quay, the widening of the main access road, the construction of buildings and gates, electrical substations and the installation of a modern fire-fighting system, increasing its cargo handling capacity from 100,000 to 252,000 containers per year.
The project cost more than 273 million dollars and was financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
