Khost collects 9bafs in customs revenue in 10 months

KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): The Customs Department in southeastern Khost province has collected nine billion afghanis in revenue over the past 10 months, showing a surge over the previous years.

Customs Director Manzoor Ahmad Omar said in an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News there had been a 50 percent spike in the amount of income collected this year, compared to last year.

Last year, he recalled, the department had collected five billion afghanis. He estimated the total annual customs duty would soar to 12 billion afghanis.

“The customs revenue has gone up by 80 percent, compared to the corresponding period under the previous government. Growing trade via the Ghulam Khan port and eliminating of corruption are the main reasons behind the revenue hike,” he explained.

Export worth $4 billion, mainly coal, vegetables and seasonal fruits, had taken place through the Ghulam Khan port, the official added.

Omar rejected as groundless claims by some traders of an increase on duty on goods imported into the province.

“In the previous government, 20 cargo vehicles would enter the country via this port, 15 of them fraudulently and the remaining five through corruption,” he alleged.

The director claimed providing many facilities for traders. For instance, he referred to the creation of a bank inside the customs department.

sa/mud