The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) will continue to benefit from the technical assistance provided by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) with the extension of ATO’s capacity-building programme for FRCS for another year.

 FRCS CEO, Mr. Udit Singh expressed his appreciation for the outstanding support and commitment provided by the Australian Government and ATO in further enhancing Fiji’s Tax Administration and achieving its strategic objectives.

“FRCS values the strong partnership we have established with ATO through the ATO Technical Assistance Program for FRCS, and we are grateful for the capacity-building efforts we have received from the ATO over the years,” Mr. Singh said.

“The partnership aims to build a strong and effective working relationship between ATO and FRCS to support FRCS in its work to design and implement a strong, transparent and effective tax regime in Fiji.”

“FRCS will continue its engagement and collaboration to ensure we keep on learning from ATO to deliver world-class services to the public in Fiji,” he further reiterated.

ATO's Director of International Relations, Capacity Building and Transparency, Ms. Gabrielle Jackson, stated that ATO was immensely pleased to see the extension of the program, which reaffirmed the success of its capacity-building progress and dedication to support FRCS in achieving its strategic objectives.

“This extension not only underscores our mutual trust and respect but also sets the stage for continued success in capacity building and technical assistance,” Ms. Jackson said.

Recently ATO’s Assistant Director, International Relations, Capacity Building and Transparency, Ms. Isabelle Hu, National Director, Investigations Criminal Law Program, Fraud and Criminal Behaviours Mr. Justin Clarke and Director, Exchange of Information, International Support and Program, Ms. Andi Watson visited FRCS for a technical mission. This mission aimed at establishing robust mechanisms for the set-up of the exchange of information on request and spontaneous exchange of information and support capacity building to strengthen FRCS’s capabilities in identifying, investigating and combating tax crime.

According to Ms. Isabelle Hu, by sharing knowledge and best practices, the ATO aims to support FRCS in meeting the international standard and strengthen FRCS’s capability to combat tax evasion and improve compliance.

“We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the proactive engagement and productive experience we have had during this mission. The dedication and collaboration demonstrated by the FRCS team has been exemplary. This mission has not only strengthened our professional relationship but also reaffirmed our shared commitment to achieving excellence in tax administration,” Ms. Hu stated.

During the mission, ATO also hosted an exclusive event tailored for students currently working at the ATO University Paid Internship Program and the FRCS Tertiary Entry Level Paid Program. This event aimed to provide valuable insights and network opportunities for the students to exchange ideas, experiences and best practices with peers from both countries.

“The ATO values its close and collaborative relationship with the FRCS. Our partnership is built on mutual respect, shared goals and a commitment to excellence in tax administration,” Ms. Hu said.

“As we look towards the future, our capacity-building program is committed to aligning our efforts with the FRCS’s vision for a robust and efficient tax administration. Our next upcoming work priorities will concentrate on enhancing compliance and debt collection processes, which are pivotal to ensuring the integrity and sustainability of Fiji tax systems,” she said.