By M.A. Egge
The Good and Services Tax (GST) with the 5% that reflects on texts sent to customers and clients alike, have been fully implemented by all major telecommunication service providers.
The revelation was contained in the bulletins of this week’s cabinet meeting session which likewise elaborate on the country’s financial and economic growth, the achievement of the revenue projections for the past 6 months.
The 26th session of the Council of Ministers meeting session was chaired by the President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, flanked by the Vice President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, was held Thursday at the Somaliland Presidential Palace.
There were several points discussed that consisted of interior, treasury, information, drought and health sectors issue that was in the itinerary.
According to press release by the Presidential spokesman Hussein Adam Igeh, the agenda of the week was generally as follows: –
- Security and Stability in the Country: in his brief, the Minister of Interior and Security, Hon. Abdalle Mohamed Arab noted that apart from the daily petty criminal acts that generally occur in society and the minor traffic accidents, the Minister said that the security and stability of the country is secure, and with no major chaos or conflicts.
- Report on the, the full implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by all telecommunications companies in their sales systems (5%), which will be directly reflected in the messages sent to customers: The Council was briefed by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Abdillahi Hassan Aden.
- Report on the health situation in the Selel Region, the current health service needs and issues that need to be addressed by the Government: The Minister of Health Development, Hon. Dr. Hussein Bashir Hirsi, gave a briefing.
- Report on Independent Media: Their Rights and Responsibilities; The implementation of the fundamental principles of freedom of expression, the role of the Government in the modern media and the improvement of the relationship between the Government and society, and issues that require joint work: A joint report was given by the Ministers of Information, Hon. Ahmed-Yasiin Sheikh Ali Ayaanle, the Presidency, Hon. Khadar Hussein Abdi and that of Justice, Hon. Yonis Ahmed Yonis.
- A detailed report related to travels, international conferences, studies to accelerate the trade relations that our country has with the world, especially with neighboring countries and those of the Gulf, observation and monitoring of commodity and fuel prices: briefs were made by the Minister of Commerce and Tourism of the Somaliland, Hon. Abdirahman Hassan Nour.
- A report on the latest drought conditions, the areas affected, from east to west, its impact on people and animals, and how to have a planned national response to the issue, was jointly reported by the Minister of Livestock and Rural Development, Hon. Dr. Omar Shuayb Mohamed, and the Minister of Resettlement and Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Suleiman Duale Jama.