Members of the Banadir business community who operate in Bakaara market, the country’s biggest market protested against a high tax on their imported goods.
In a press conference, the business people said that the tax is too high and will affect business seriously.
“What happened to us is that our goods are at the Mogadishu seaport for 12 days. We were told to pay a tax that has been levied on us without considering our ability. We are expressing our grievances to the government,” they said.
“We are not tax defaulters. But that tax can’t be paid. Because it will be a loss. Take a calculator and see it. That tax is too much and it will reach everybody at his/her home,” they added.
The business community announced the closure of business from Sunday.
“It’s too bad. And it should not be taken lightly. In reaction, we as the business community agreed to stop working and close shops,” they said.
Recently the government has added the amount of tax paid by the importers in a bid to build the country’s revenue base.
