In his Budget Speech 2002 the Minister of Finance introduced the reform project RIRA with the vision that it would be possible to start building a transparent, efficient and effective tax administration through this program.

RIRA, with the financial assistance from the Government of the United Kingdom, has been running from July 2002 assisting the National Board of Revenue to build a modern, efficient and time-befitting tax administration.

Working mainly with the Large Taxpayer’s Units (Income Tax and VAT) and the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) the RIRA Project Team has assisted the NBR to: -

• develop and implement modern and efficient administrative structures and practices – including computerisation;
• develop co-ordination between departments;
• prevent revenue leakage by developing investigative, audit and inspection skills;
• achieve human resource development by increasing professional skills through training and mentoring; and
• adopt a coordinated tax education program for creating public awareness.