Title: “The future of tax policy in Cameroon: Interview with Louis-Paul Motaze”
Introduction :
In a context marked by the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, the Minister of Finance of Cameroon, Louis-Paul Motaze, takes stock of his government’s economic policy and addresses the challenges facing the country. He insists on the need to continue and strengthen tax pressure to ensure economic growth and cope with external shocks. This interview is an opportunity to look at the future of tax policy in Cameroon and explore the initiatives put in place to increase public revenue.
The reallocation of special drawing rights (SDRs):
At the heart of the discussions during the annual meetings, the question of the reallocation of special drawing rights (SDRs) from rich countries is raised. Motaze recalls that the G20 countries had made the decision to allocate these special drawing rights to developing countries to help them cope with economic shocks. However, the implementation of this decision is complex and still requires technical discussions. The Minister of Finance expresses his rapid expectation regarding the reallocation of funds to beneficiary countries.
The results of Cameroon’s economic policy:
Asked about the results of Cameroon’s economic policy, Motaze confirms that the country is in compliance with the expectations of the program. However, he emphasizes that Cameroon does not live in isolation and suffers the effects of the various crises facing the world, such as war in certain regions of the country and external shocks. To face these challenges, it is essential to accelerate structural reforms and maintain focus on commitments made to the IMF.
Tax pressure in Cameroon:
Motaze asserts that Cameroon’s tax policy consists of increasing the tax burden by broadening the tax base rather than increasing taxes for the same taxpayers. The aim is to ensure that more individuals and legal entities contribute to the tax system. The Minister of Finance is aware of complaints from the formal sector about too much tax pressure, but he emphasizes that this mainly concerns those already in the system. The government is also tackling the taxation of the informal sector, particularly of actors who carry out significant commercial operations without being tax registered.
Conclusion :
The interview with Louis-Paul Motaze highlights the importance of tax policy in Cameroon’s current economic context. The reallocation of special drawing rights from rich countries, structural reforms and fiscal pressure are all essential measures to ensure the country’s economic growth and enable it to face the various crises.. The Cameroonian government is committed to continuing its efforts to guarantee a fair and efficient tax system, while encouraging broader participation of all economic actors.