Algeria to grant tax exemption to wholesalers in return for check use

Figures given by the Algerian commerce minister Mustapha Benbada show that non invoiced commercial transactions increased by about 50 percent in January-June 2013 compared to the same period last year.

Benbada Monday presented the results of control and fraud repression between January and June 2013. They showed that operators and traders avoid dealing with checks and invoices as the government failed to impose checks on traders and private companies.

Non invoiced trade value reached 27,000 centimes with 11.8 percent increase compared to 18,000 centimes during the same period last year. Control and fraud repression departments have intervened for 532,000 times and noted about 100,000 infractions among traders.

Benbada said the ministry works on presenting proposals to the government to reduce taxes on wholesalers provided they commit to deal with checks and invoices.

“This measure would have positive consequences on prices which would go down.”

The minister also said control and fraud repression noted 922 cases only of illegal application of products price, in response to criticism of the ministry failure in imposing a clear prices policy.

“Prices are generally respected. Most of the infractions were due to non display of prices and activities without having a shop,” he added.