The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed a reduction of the most favoured nation (MFN) tariff on a number of petrol products widely used in industrial production from 20 per cent to 10 per cent in an attempt to bring down the economy's input cost.

In addition, the ministry said it will consider lowering the current tax on ethanol from 15 per cent to 10 per cent for some ethanol products.

There were six ethanol plants in Viet Nam with a total output capacity of 400,000 cubic metres while demand for ethanol, mostly used for the making of bio-gasoline E5 RON92, 5 per cent of ethanol mixed with gasoline, which in the domestic market was estimated at 200,000 cubic metres a year.

In addition, higher input costs and an unstable supply of raw materials were Vietnamese ethanol makers' major weaknesses. It has resulted in some of them being forced to close down on top of their inability to compete with cheaper imported ethanol.

The US Grains Council has also recently filed a demand for Viet Nam to bring down tariffs on US ethanol from 15 per cent to 5-10 per cent.

According to the ministry, Viet Nam encourages the use of ethanol in making biofuel and the use of biofuel as they are considered to be more environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuels. In light of rising global prices, the country also aimed at greater imports of ethanol to help ease supply shortfalls.

The Southeast Asian country imported nearly US$49 million worth of ethanol last year with the US being its largest supplier with 62 per cent of the volume. Under current regulations, ethanol (HS 2207.20.11, 2207.20.19) was set at a 15 per cent MFN tariff.

The ministry said lowering MFN tariffs and tariffs on imported ethanol were effective steps taken to bring down petrol prices in Viet Nam and to help reduce the economy's input cost. In addition, the move has been said to provide a boost to exports, especially to the US.

Meanwhile, State budget collection might experience some minor decreases, according to the ministry. — VNS