ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is facing major issues in the implementation of electronic-invoicing system within the supply chain including systems and infrastructure bottlenecks.
The issue of e-invoicing system in Pakistan was discussed in detail during the first day of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)'s "International Conference on Digitalization of Taxes in Pakistan".
The opening session of the conference was held at the FBR Headquarters.
The day-long conference was chaired by FBR Member Admin and Human Resource Syed Nadeem Hussain Rizvi.
The opening remarks were given by Alberto Isgut, Economic Affairs Officer, Financing for Development Section, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Experts shared that the biggest challenges to e-invoicing in Pakistan are related to IT systems, infrastructure, legal and policy frameworks, institutional coordination, human resources, cyber security, data privacy, and others.
The international tax experts highlighted their viewpoint on standing of Pakistan in the international context on e-invoicing described.
There is also need for cooperation and engagement by the private sector. The coordination across levels of government is needed.
The conference also talked about an action agenda on e-invoicing in Pakistan: priorities, addressing systems and infrastructure bottlenecks, strengthening inter-government collaboration, and collaboration with the private sector.
Experts also raised question whether there is a need to amend existing legal and policy frameworks, including data privacy and cyber security.
In the first session, Mark Stockwell, Director of e-Invoicing, Australian Taxation Office explained in detail the practical issues in implementing the E-Invoicing.
The panel discussion focused on the strategy for implementing E-Invoicing in Pakistan.
Later, Frank Chan on additional international experiences gave a presentation.
A detailed presentation was also given by Ali Saeed, Deputy Director (Digital Invoicing) on Pakistan experience and plans. Besides, Omar Bin Ahsan on e-invoicing on how private partners support and collaborate with the FBR to implement e-invoicing in the country.
The conference would also discuss the strategy for implementing an E-Withholding Tax System in Pakistan.
Haneen Saif, Deputy Director (SWAPS), FBR will share Pakistan experience and plans for e-withholding tax system.
The role of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in helping the FBR in operationalising SWAPS through RAAST payment gateway will also be discussed in the second day of the conference to be held on Wednesday (today).
The practical issues in the implementation of point of sales (POS) system in Pakistan will also be discussed.
A presentation will also be given by Attila Mizanyi, Head of the Risk Analysis and Data Science Department of the Central Management at National Tax and Customs Administration, Hungary.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023