South Sudan generates $2 million in local revenue collection

South Sudan’s Customs and Taxation department said on Tuesday that in May 2012 more than SSDG5 million (US$1.9 million) was raised for the treasury in taxes. It claims to have received double the taxes prior to the closure of the oil pipeline and the subsequent austerity measures. “This figure exceeds the target of 180,851,674 [SSDG] for six months, which the government expects the department to collect”, an internal report from the ministry of finance and economic planning published on Tuesday and seen by Sudan Tribune. The report, which bears the signature of the minister of finance, Kosti Manibe, commends the taxation department for the development, attributing the increase in local revenue collection to the closure of illegal taxation checkpoints at entry points on the borders with Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. In May it was reported that the World Bank (WB) assessed South Sudan as heading towards economic disaster as a result of the closure of the oil pipeline in January. The WB went on to issue a statement saying that its position had been “misrepresented”. Whatever the case, it is clear that South Sudan relied upon oil revenues for the vast majority of its income and will incur economic hardship. “The business community in collaboration with customs officers was also essential in this development. We are also grateful for the support and encouragement from our minister of finance. Without his support and encouragement, we might not be able to perform to this level,” said the source.