Revenue up by 20pc, overshoots target by 12pc: MoF

KABUL’s revenue has soared to 189 billion afghanis in the fiscal year 2018, showing a 20 percent increase over the previous year and exceeding the target by 12 percent.

Shamrez Khan Masjidi, spokesman for the Ministry of Finance (MoF), told Pajhwok Afghan News the 169 billion afghanis had been collected during fiscal year 1396. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had set the government a target of 173 billion afghanis.

Afghanistan’s fiscal year begins on December 22. The MoF spokesman promised collecting even more revenue in the current fiscal. Since a certain target has not been set, the matter remained under discussion, he added.

Insecurity in some parts of the country, a weak culture of tax payments, financial corruption, flaws in the system and a shortage of facilities were some of impediments, he explained.

The cabinet recently hailed the MoF for its performance in the area of revenue collection, asked the ministries concerned to ensure transparency and draw up clear plans in this regard in cooperation with the Ministry of finance.

Afghanistan’s own revenue contributes 188 billion afghanis to the national budget while the remaining amount comes in the form of international assistance.

nh/mud