The 44th Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) Technical Conference, is being held in Mauritius from 21 to 25 October 2024, gathering tax professionals and policy experts from across the Commonwealth.
The opening ceremony was held, this morning, at the InterContinental Resort Mauritius, in Balaclava, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun. The Director General of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), Mr Sudhamo Lal; the newly appointed Executive Director of CATA, Dr Esther Koisin; and other personalities were present on the occasion.
The theme for this year’s Conference, ‘Reshaping the Tax Administration in a Dynamic Landscape,’ reflects the need for tax administrations to adapt to rapidly evolving global conditions.
In his keynote address, President Roopun expressed pride in Mauritius hosting the CATA Conference, acknowledging international participants for their contributions to global tax cooperation, and highlighted CATA’s vital role si
nce its founding in 1978 in enhancing tax systems through training and technical support.
Mauritius, Mr Roopun underscored, is recognised for its progressive tax administration, with the MRA contributing significantly to the country’s governance, transparency, and economic growth, including post-COVID-19 recovery efforts. He also emphasised the MRA’s role in implementing a range of financial assistance schemes during the pandemic, providing support to employers, employees, small and medium enterprises, and the self-employed.
The President also noted that the MRA has introduced innovative tax and technological reforms, such as e-invoicing, the virtual assistant MyRA, and e-tax accounts, all aimed at improving transparency and tax efficiency.
In addition, President Roopun elaborated that the Conference theme highlights the need for tax systems to adapt to the evolving technological and global trade environment. Challenges like cross-border transactions and the digital economy present opportunities for modern
isation, with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain promising greater transparency and compliance, he added.
Mr Roopun further outlined that taxation should be seen as an investment in societal development, with a need for global collaboration and innovative approaches to create fair and sustainable systems that drive progress and equity.
For his part, Mr Lal indicated that Mauritius prides itself on being a member of the Commonwealth and the MRA as a member of CATA, the largest international organisation of tax administrators in the world.
He emphasised that this Conference is an ideal moment to acknowledge CATA, which has consistently provided an excellent platform for the exchange of views and experiences among officials from Commonwealth member tax administrations through its workshops, technical conferences, and capacity-building programs over the years.
The Director-General discussed how the digitalisation of the global economy and new technologies, including AI, are reshapin
g the world, leading to a shift in traditional taxpayer habits. He stressed the importance of technical conferences like this one, which offer members the opportunity to share experiences and insights to address upcoming challenges and adapt their tax administration accordingly.
As for Dr Koisin, she joined the Director-General of the MRA to underscore the contributions of all participants, keynote speakers, moderators, and experts, noting their essential roles in driving progress toward a more equitable and sustainable tax system. This Conference, she pointed out, is a great opportunity for meaningful collaboration, idea exchange, and learning.
Government Information Service, Prime Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: https://gis.govmu.org Mobile App: Search Gov
Source: Government of Mauritius