ANTIGUA: Revenue intake at the Customs & Excise Division, which is collected at the ports of entry, increased by almost $13 million for the first six months of 2016, compared to the same period last year.
During a press conference at the division’s head office, yesterday, Chairman of the Customs Public Relations Committee, Randy Baltimore said this translates to a 7.46 per cent increase in revenues for the year, up to June 30.
“Comparative figures up to June 2015 and June 2016 shows an increase which is due to importation of goods, fines and other revenues that the Customs Department collects,” Baltimore said.
In actual numbers, the amount of money collected by Customs so far, for the year, stands at $187,081,310, which is equated to $12,985,810 more than the $174 million earned in 2015.
However, the Customs & Excise Division is expected to boost revenue when ASYCUDA World comes on stream in September.
According to ASYCUDA World Project Director and IT Manager, Jules Bowen, the projections suggest that Customs would realise more than 15 per cent increase in revenues.
