The Chief Financial Budget Executive of Finance Ministry, Saruvash Adam has stated that the government aims to increase Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) starting from January 2023.

Saruvash made the statement while speaking at the Falasurukhee program of RaajjeTV.

Speaking at the program, Saruvash stated that even though the government uses the income generated from tax, to provide services to the people, there would always be complains and concerns raised against any changes that are brought to the tax system.

Additionally, Saruvash noted that these changes will have side effects such as rise of inflation or rise in prices of goods and services.

Noting that a time where inflation is increasing drastically is not the ideal time to bring changes to the tax system, Saruvash noted that these changes are needed to balance the expenditure of the government. He noted that the government suddenly contracting their spending would affect the citizens. As such he highlighted that this may lead to the state not being able to pay its employees or provide subsidies or even lead to a decrease in the quality of services provided by the state.

Hence he stated that it is important to increase taxes taken by the government. Noting that there is no other option for the state at the moment, Saruvash highlighted that the state made the decision to increase taxes taken from the citizens after many discussions.

Moreover, speaking about the concerns raised by the tourism sector regarding the increase of TGST, Saruvash stated that their biggest concern has always been the late notices they are given about the changes. As such, he noted that discussions were held with industry stakeholders and that they do agree that the country's economy needs to be managed.

On July 5, 2022, Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer announced the government decision to increase the GST and TGST.

Speaking at a presser, Minister Ameer announced that the decision had been made to increase the GST to 8 percent while the TGST is to be increased to 16 percent. The government made the decision to increase the GST from 6 percent to 8 percent and the TGST by nearly 4 percent.

Minister Ameer further stated that the government had decided on fiscal anchors to maintain the fiscal state at a sustainable level. Highlighting the changes occurring in the global economy, Minister Ameer stated that measures need to be taken to sustain the country's fiscal state at a sustainable level.

The Finance Minister noted that increase in prices of goods in the global market and hike in the interest rates of loans in major economies is boosting debt.

Minister Ameer stated that the government made the decision to take additional measures in order to decrease state expenditure and increase state revenue. Increasing the GST and TGST percentage came as part of these measures.

The Minister also noted that even though the decision has been made to increase the GST and TGST, it will be brought into effect after six months.

Minister Ameer stated that more information about the measures taken to better the fiscal state of the country will be disclosed in the future.