ZAMBIA plans to reform its tax system in a bid to stimulate economic growth and development, the finance ministry announced on Monday. A ministry statement said the tax reforms would be implemented as part of next year’s national budget. “The objective of the tax reform is to build a modern tax system that is conducive to stimulating sustained economic growth and development,” the ministry said without elaborating. Zambian firms have complained that the tax system is not favourable to the growth, in particular, of small-scale enterprises. Manufacturers and farmers say taxes increase their production costs to the point where they cannot be competitive in regional trade. The government is inviting contributions from the private sector, civil society and the general public to the proposed revenue reforms. – AFP