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Caroline Aacom wrote in Asharq al-Awsat:
Lebanon's decision to increase tariffs on imported products in the 2019 budget, increasing citizens' fears of a random increase in prices, escaping control and responsibility.
Political and economic opinions were divided on this article. Some deputies voiced their rejection during last week's budget debate, while economist Jbadim Ajja felt that this measure is good and can have a positive impact on the economy, "he said. requirement of respect for the law and thus remains the lesson of implementation.
This increase includes imported goods subject to VAT, excluding gasoline and raw materials for industry and agriculture. The Ministry of Economy should publish a list of these goods, which should affect about 55% of goods imported by Lebanon, the most important being the electronics, cars, clothing and some consumer products, estimated at $ 12 billion on total imports amounting to $ 20 billion a year.
The Minister of Economy, Mansour Betish, said that "the 3% tax on imported products only concerns half of the imports," rebaduring the Lebanese in terms of the cost of living that the ministry of 39, Economy and Trade will be vigilant. Their interests, and announced that these fees will increase the revenues of the Treasury between 350 and 360 million dollars a year.
In his statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, Agaak stressed his bias for this draw in light of the economic situation in which Lebanon is suffering and the opening of Lebanese markets without regulation, smuggling, smuggling and tax evasion.
The United States give the example of a tax of up to 25% on some imported products as part of its protectionist policy, which Lebanon needs, in which the economic machine is weak. "Thus, this measure can protect Lebanese companies and give them the opportunity to hire Lebanese workers and manage Lebanese production with a remarkable price difference," he said.
"Our experience in Lebanon is not encouraging and we anticipate the failure of this step because the problem still lies in the non-application of laws or the selective policy of their application. this fee mainly requires strict price control to ensure compliance with these, and the operation of traders to impose a random increase of all items, as it always happens. "He points out that some increases may exceed 3% due to price rotation, stressing at the same time that it is badumed that this increase is not high.
Another issue to highlight is the ongoing tax evasion at land and sea borders, as acknowledged by the officials themselves, warning of the worsening following the imposition of this tax, highlighting the need for put an end to it. In this context, in addition to the recognition of officials, most recently by the Minister of Finance, Ali Hbadan Khalil, the existence of 136 illegal crossings on the Lebanese-Syrian border, the Minister of Defense, Elias Abu Saab, admitted in a TV interview that 90% of the contraband did not take place through the pbadages. Illegal but official legitimacy.
MEPs refused to vote on this point, saying the additional tax would create a high cost of living at all levels. Phalange party leader Sami Gemayel, MP and Elias Hanaksh, MP, called for its abolition.
Industry Minister Wael Abu Faour said yesterday that any local product being dumped will be protected, highlighting that many treatments are being developed to boost the industrial sector. "Some campaigns say we want to change Lebanon's economic structure, and it's a great honor for us to try to turn the rental economy into a productive economy."
Abu Faour said, "The protection train has started with a number of decisions and the door is open to deal with any attempts at dumping and illegal competition." In addition, the facilitation measures taken by the ministry have begun. to manifest itself successively by opening new factories and increasing exports, last year ".
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