Already gnashing of teeth after the first announcements concerning the 2021 tax schedule. Prior to formalization, the Government began discussions with employers' organizations and chambers of commerce.

We learn that tax policy measures have been adopted; in particular, the subjection of luxury rice to VAT at the rate of 9%; the subjection of imported meat to VAT at the rate of 9%; the introduction of an excise duty on cosmetic products; the increase in the rate of registration duty on cocoa exports from 1.5% to 3%.

These measures raise fears of an increase in the price of rice, meat and cosmetics, despite the Government's assurances.

According to the Minister of Budget and State Portfolio, Moussa Sanogo, the government's objectives are focused on raising the level of tax revenue mobilization, in order to reduce the financing of Côte d'Ivoire's development from external resources, while ensuring a balanced distribution of the tax burden.

However, for the benefit of the private sector, the tax annex contains tax relief measures taken to support certain sectors of the economy, including the pharmaceutical and insurance sectors.

 
 
Among these, the exemption from value added tax on commissions collected by wholesalers and pharmacies in the context of the distribution of medicines from the New Public Health Pharmacy to beneficiaries of Universal Health Coverage (CMU); exemption from the special equipment tax on the turnover achieved by wholesalers and pharmacies in the context of the distribution of medicines from the New Public Health Pharmacy to beneficiaries of the Universal Health Coverage (CMU); exemption from income tax of claims on interest on remuneration paid to subscribers to life insurance contracts; reform of the taxation applicable to SMEs reflected in the review of tax regimes with a tax cost of 23.8 billion CFA francs.