The Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Sam Shivute, has called on taxpayers to voluntarily comply with the tax laws as well as customs and excise services for the country to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement session at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region, Shivute says NamRA has noted with concern some individuals and several businesses failing and refusing to comply with the tax laws and regulations.

Such practice, he says, is illegal as per the customs and excise act.

The meeting aimed to engage and educate the business community and the public at large on tax, customs, and excise-related matters.

Ohangwena Governor Walde Ndevashiya commended NamRA for an open platform that brought stakeholders together in order to hear their concerns and educate them on tax laws and regulations.

He emphasised the importance of the engagements, saying when all stakeholders have an understanding of the agency's mandate and operations, it will enhance taxpayers' compliance.

During the engagement, NamRa donated 260 shovels to the office of the Ohangwena Governor, which Shivute says are part of equipment and goods forfeited to the state as a result of non-compliance by citizens as per the customs and excise act of 1998.

He urged businesses to familiarize themselves with import laws and duties before importing goods into the country.