THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Question 2164
Mr G. G. Hill-Lewis (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
Has his department undertaken any study on the impact of the imposition of
export taxes on (a) the balance of trade, (b) exchange rate and (c)
employment in the import and export services sector; if not, why not; if
so, (i) what are the relevant details and (ii) will his department make
this study available?
RESPONSE
No, the Department has not undertaken any study on the impact of the
imposition of export taxes on: (a) the balance of trade, (b) exchange rate,
and (c) employment in the import and export services sector. Under the
Constitution, only the Minister of Finance is empowered to introduce
taxation proposals for approval by Parliament. the dti is, however
responsible, along with sister departments, for the development and
implementation of programmes to promote beneficiation and in this context
is engaged in evaluating the extent to which well designed export taxes may
or may not be an appropriate tool in this regard.