Hairatan Port revenue surges to nearly 8 billion afs

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The revenue of the Hairatan port in northern Balkh province has surged to nearly eight billion afghanis this year, showing a hundred percent increase.

Maulvi Safar Mohammad Sahar, the director of customs and revenue, told Pajhwok Afghan News the income had risen to 7.8 billion afghanis.

Meanwhile, a number of traders complain of an inordinately high custom duty at the bustling port.

Sulaiman Ibrahimi, a production company head, said they imported raw materials from foreign countries and paid high taxes on them.

He complained about cumbersome customs procedures and urged the acceleration of goods clearance and lowering of duties.

Allah Shakoor Qanaat, a local businessman, said investors were endeavouring to serve the citizens in all circumstances, but the government paid no attention to their problems.

“I have provided job opportunities for hundreds of people in my factory, but when a problem arises, the government doesn’t cooperate,” he alleged.

Imamuddin Sanyeezada, director of the chamber of commerce and industry, said the import of low-quality items was banned after the fall of the previous government. As a result, he explained, tax collection had jumped.

sa/mud