Customs collected AZN 104 million, but the budget could have collected much more

In November of this year from the State Customs Committee, it was transferred to the state budget of 104.2 million manat.

In SCC they told Turan that in 11 months of 2012 the collection of taxes and fees provided for a total of 1,092 million manat. This year it is projected to collect only 1.2 bn. The bulk of the charges are formed by VAT.

In 2011, the SCC contribution to the state budget amounted to 1,141 mln. Next year, according to the draft of the state budget, the SCC will collect 1,380 mln.

However, as we know from media publications, the customs with importing goods seized illegal fees, which are much higher than the official charges. In addition, certain persons established a monopoly on the import of goods.

Azerbaijan since the mid 1990 has been in talks to join the World Trade Organization. Yet to be determined is even the approximate date of accession to this organization, as evidenced by the statement of President Ilham Aliyev during his September visit to France. The reason is related to the duration of the negotiations on "internal problems." The president defended the status quo with government's desire to support the local industry and agriculture. But local experts say that in reality the situation is that business is on its knees. And in fact, the process has stalled because of bureaucratic resistance of the oligarchy that controls both the local industry, and that controls the importation of essential commodities. - 08D-