The State Revenue Committee’s (SRC) initiative to implement a digital marking system with unique identifiers is facing significant criticism, particularly from micro and small businesses. While the system aims to reduce the shadow economy and improve product circulation monitoring, its implementation methods pose serious challenges, threatening the survival of small businesses and driving up consumer prices.
The system mandates the use of specialized technical tools, including 2D barcode scanners integrated with fiscal cash registers. However, many small businesses lack the resources to comply with these new requirements. The cost of acquiring equipment, training employees, and securing technical support presents an insurmountable financial burden for micro businesses.
Additionally, the new system complicates bookkeeping, likely leading to increased costs for accounting services. Small businesses, already struggling with limited budgets, will face additional expenses or penalties for non-compliance.
Moreover, small businesses are often unable to demand proper documentation from larger suppliers, creating imbalances in the supply chain. This dynamic not only disrupts the workflow of small businesses but also undermines their competitive position.
The associated costs of implementing this system will likely be passed on to consumers, leading to price increases that could negatively impact the consumer market. As a result, declining demand could further exacerbate economic challenges for small businesses.
Although the SRC is organizing educational webinars and consultations, these efforts are insufficient to alleviate the burden on businesses. The government must provide technical and financial support, enforce greater accountability among larger suppliers, and adopt more flexible tax policies to help businesses adapt to the new system.
While the digital marking system may reduce the shadow economy, failing to address the needs of small businesses risks creating widespread economic problems and deepening social inequality.
