LRA Launches Major Capacity Development Agreement with Swedish Tax Agency

The Liberia Revenue Authority, in collaboration with the Swedish Tax Agency, has launched a three-year project, dubbed “Institutional Capacity Development Project” (ICDP).

The ICDP initiative seeks to achieve three main objectives: modernize taxpayer service, develop competent human resources and ensure compliance risk management.

Speaking at the official launch, LRA Commissioner General, Thomas Doe Nah, stated that the essence of the project is to support the Domestic Resource Mobilization strategy.

He further stated that, “It is a milestone to pursue excellence and raise revenue but at the same time increase revenue in ways that our customers find acceptable.”

Under the collaboration, LRA and the Swedish Tax Agency (STA) will focus on developing the procedures within the three components where the STA will support the LRA to develop the legislative and regulatory framework, the use of information technology and staff empowerment. 

The cooperation is expected to be accomplished based on principles of efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.

In remarks, Nikolina Stalhand, the second secretary and programs officer at the Swedish Embassy, stated that, “A well-functioning tax administration system and sufficient tax revenues are highly needed for countries to have adequate resources to finance economic growth.”

She termed the collaboration between the LRA and the STA as strategic and important.

Meanwhile, the head of the Swedish Tax Agency, Mrs. Petra Jacobsen, who spoke virtually, expressed her thanks to the LRA team for working with the Swedish Embassy to ensure that this is now a reality.

This partnership seeks to achieve Increased taxpayer communication, improved treatment of internal and external customers.

It also seeks to enhance staff capacity to promote effective staff administration procedures and ensure the implementation of compliance risk management systems.