KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): The revenue of Sher Khan Port in northern Kunduz province from transit duty on commercial goods reached 322 million afghanis during the past 15 months, showing an unprecedented increase, a customs official said on Thursday.
The port’s revenue increases amid complaints by traders, investors and drivers about problems in banking transactions and the issuance of visas.
Mawlawi Khairullah Sibghat, a customs official of Sher Khan Port, told Pajhwok Afghan News they collected 322 million afs revenue from transit tax on commercial goods during the past 15 months.
“The reason for this increase in income is the increase in coal transit to Pakistan and commercials goods of other countries”, Sibghat said.
“At the time of the previous government, we collected 10 million afs revenue in 15 months, but after the Islamic Emirate’s takeover, we collected 322 million afs”.
Since the present government’s coming to power, corruption has decreased to zero while traders and other businessmen are provided more facilities, Sibghat added.
Drivers and laborers said work opportunities had increased for them.
GhulamNabi, a driver, said: “There are many job opportunities, but the problem is we are asked to pay taxes in three different places”.
On the other hand, Abdul Matin Yousufzai, the deputy head of Kunduz Chamber of Commerce, said traders were denied visas of Tajikistan and this issue must be solved.
“The income from transit trade at Sher Khan Port is very high, it cannot be compared with the income of the past, but the problems related to visas for businessmen and banking problems should be resolved,” Yousufzai added.
It is worth mentioning that the bulk of revenue of the Sher Khan Port during the past 15 months came from transit duty on coal from Tajikistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan.
aw/ma
