Improved import, export figures boost State budget

Customs officials check export goods. The department has shown a budget increase year-on-year. — VNA/VNS Photo Hoang Hung

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— State budget revenues in the customs sector in the first half of 2013 fell short of the year's plan but results were encouraging in the context of a struggling economy, the General Department of Customs has said.

The six-month total revenue was estimated at VND96 trillion (US$4.57 billion), accounting for only about 40 per cent of the year's target.

But with improved import-export values, a rise in petroleum tariffs and some rallying major firms boosting foreign trade activities, the revenue figure showed an increase of 5.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. Customs departments in many provinces, including Dong Thap, Khanh Hoa, Hai Phong and Can Tho, posted remarkable year-on-year rises in State budget revenues.

As of June 15, budget revenues in Dong Thap reached VND231.6 billion ($11.03 million) – up 89.94 per cent; Khanh Hoa VND1.74 trillion ($83 million) – up 63.03 per cent; Hai Phong VND14.63 trillion ($697 million) – up 14.83 per cent; Can Tho VND261.59 trillion ($12.46 million) – up 4.81 per cent.

These positive figures come after a resurgence in the last few months, with greater authority efforts to facilitate importers and exporters, the general department said.

In a difficult January-April period, the department collected VND56.29 trillion ($2.68 billion), accounting for 23.7 per cent of the plan, down 5.25 per cent year-on-year.

The figure rose to VND74.5 trillion ($3.55 billion) in the January-May period, accounting for 31.4 per cent of the plan, down 1.4 per cent year-on-year.

For the remainder of the year, the general department said it would continue to help import-export businesses solve difficulties, expand the application of electronic customs procedures and carry out appropriate measures to prevent tax revenue losses.

In the first half of this year, the total import-export value was estimated at $125.51 billion, up 16.8 per cent year-on-year. — VNS