DUSHANBE, October18, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Approximately 78 percent of Tajikistan’s imports have been exempted from payment of customs fees in January-September this year, Nouriddin Mahmadov, the deputy head of the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on October 18.

In accordance with the country’s legislation, commodities intended for construction of strategic facilities and implementation of a number of projects and programs as well as goods purchased abroad due to loans and grants have been exempted from customs fees (customs duty, VAT and excise duty) over the first nine months of the year, Mahmadov said, adding that “part of technical equipment necessary for further development of Tajikistan’s economy” has also been exempted from payment of customs fees over the report period.

“Humanitarian aid arriving in Tajikistan is also exempted from customs fees,” Tajik customs official noted said.