Somalia: Puntland's new President issues executive order on tax

GAROWE, Puntland - The President-elect of Somalia's northeastern Puntland State, H.E Said Abdullahi Deni issued an executive order Sunday ending the tax exemptions and reduction, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement, Deni has directed Puntland's Ministry of Finance to halt the tax exemptions for the government institutions and the non-governmental organizations as well as the private entities in the state.

The move terminates long-running tax reduction and exemptions made by the former president, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, whose government was accused of corruption and mismanagement of public funds.

The directive which took effect on Saturday, January 12 becomes the second of its kind since the president won last week's peaceful and democratic presidential election held in Puntland state capital, Garowe.

On the first day of his presidency, Deni released a similar executive order freezing the outgoing government's accounts at the central bank and private remittances to prevent corruption during the transfer of power.

Deni, 53, a former Somalia's planning Minister is expected to take over the office as Puntland president from his predecessor in an inauguration ceremony scheduled to be held in Garowe in the coming few days.

His milestone election was hugely welcomed by many in the country and abroad, including the International community and the top leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia, as well as the Federal Member States.

GAROWE ONLINE