Federal, S. Sudan Finances ministers agree to amend Customs Act

Aug 20, 2006 (KHARTOUM) -– Federal Finance minister and Southern Sudan finance minister agreed to amend of Customs Act to cope with Comprehensive Peace Agreement, especially in the southern states.

The Minister of Finance, al-Zubair Ahmed al-Hassan and the southern Sudan minister of finance Arthur Akwin agreed Sunday according to an agreement reached by the two ministers, the Customs Police will be formed to assume their duties as from next September in the southern states.

Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Ahmed Al- Majzoub and the Director General of Customs Police Administration will fly to south Sudan to make necessary arrangements in coordination with south Sudan government.

Al-Hassan urged South Sudan Government to support the move and pledged to provide training for southern cadres internally and abroad.

The two ministers agreed to set up a joint committee that comprises South Sudan Government and the Taxation Chamber to formulate taxation regulations for the south and to organize a workshop on the general features of the budget for the fiscal year 2007.

The southern states’ revenues will be levied in coordination with the Centre’s authorities, Akwin said.

(ST)