DUSHANBE, October 18, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Parliamentarians have offered VAT rebate for grain imports. 

Parliament hearings on the progress of administration of the 2008 budget were held on October 17.  

Speaking at the meeting, Safarali Gulov, member of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee on Economy, Budget, Finance and Taxes, suggested that VAT on grain imports should be reduced from 20% to 10%.  “If we reduce VAT flour prices on the country’s markets will come down considerably,” the parliamentarian said.  

For his party, Economic Development and Trade Minister Ghulomjon Bobozoda noted that reduction of VAT from 20% to 10% would not affect budget receipts seriously.  “I am supporter of such reduction.  Due to creation of new jobs, increase in capacities of flour mills and creation of new jobs budget receipts will even increase,” the minister said.    

According to him, some 150,000 tons of wheat has been delivered to the country over the first nine months of this year.