The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (Revenue and Customs) and Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve Fiji’s macroeconomic and business statistics.

The MOU was signed by Revenue and Customs Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Visvanath Das and FBos Government Statistician, Mr. Epeli Waqavonovono at the Revenue and Customs Boardroom yesterday.

As both parties provide important services to the Fiji government, business and people, this MOU will allow FBoS to access Revenue and Customs data in order to improve the range, quality and timeliness of inputs to key economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and also contribute to the establishment and operation of a national business register.

Revenue and Customs Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Visvanath Das said the MOU will enhance the collaboration between both agencies.

“The MOU is a tool to enhance the cooperative relationship between both agencies. It is also an achievement for both parties in the context of national interest,” Mr. Das said.

“Revenue and Customs is a key source of data on business income, expenses and capital transactions and on business registration. This data can be potential inputs to the compilation of statistics including the Fiji national accounts, international accounts and business activity,” he said.

Apart from data sharing, an officer from FBoS will also be seconded to Revenue and Customs.

“We are pleased with the decision to have an officer seconded at Revenue and Customs to access the records required by FBoS,” Mr. Das said.

Mr. Waqavonovono thanked Revenue and Customs for the secondment opportunity as it would ensure ease of business.

He also gave his assurance that the MOU will allow FBoS to provide timely and robust data with other Fiji government agencies in coordinating a scheme of economic and social statistics relating to Fiji.

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