MORE than 120,000 value added tax (VAT) violations were registered in Bahrain over the last three years.
Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa told MPs, in writing, that the violations included delays in VAT registration and declaration, failure to transfer payments on time and implement display, pricing and billing rules and regulations.
The National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) recorded 122,842 violations since a five per cent VAT was implemented on January 1, 2019.
Shaikh Salman said 67 inspectors from NBR and the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry were authorised to take legal action on the spot.
“There are 20,000 businesses registered with NBR and fines are imposed whenever a violation is committed,” said Shaikh Salman.
“We received 176 complaints through the National Communication Centre and they were dealt with seriously.
“We conduct extensive visits and checks to ensure proper implementation of the rule and as a result, we have identified 122,842 violations till date.”
Meanwhile, Shaikh Salman said, in another written response, that Bahrain was working on a roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
The kingdom has already announced its aim to cut emissions by 30 per cent by 2035.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had announced the pledge while speaking at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow this month. Bahrain also pledged support for four key international climate change initiatives.
Initiatives
“The initiatives under the roadmap are set to create numerous jobs in the environmental field besides opening markets in green technologies and renewable energy,” said Shaikh Salman.
“The ministry has set up a committee to frame new policies for a green economy.”
The minister will be present during Tuesday’s session to respond to further queries by MPs.
Parliament is set to debate amendments to the 1975 Passports Law that would allow the introduction of new technologies to screen people entering or leaving Bahrain. Under the government-drafted amendment, the Interior Minister would be granted the power to determine and introduce locations for entry and exit from Bahrain.
The foreign affairs, defence and national security committee has backed the move, saying that it paves the way for the use of artificial intelligence gates and face recognition technologies.
Procedures were earlier this year tightened at the Bahrain International Airport to ensure banned individuals don’t sneak back into the country.
A hi-tech electronic system developed by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) was also introduced in May this year. The system collects, saves and matches biometric data electronically, including fingerprints and irises of expatriate workers in the commercial and household sectors.
MPs will also vote on two proposed amendments to the 1975 Housing Law that could see interest-free loans provided to citizens. It also aims to give more powers to the Housing Minister to add new services to the law.
A retrospective vote on amendments to the 2017 Alternative Punishments Law granting the Interior Ministry authority to replace jail sentences with alternative punishments has been also recommended by the same committee.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
&uuid=(email))