ZARANJ - Customs officials in southwestern Nimroz province claim their department’s revenue has increased by one billion afghanis during the first nine months of this solar year compared to the corresponding period last year.

Wais Sultani, the Customs Department head, said more than five billion afghanis had been collected so far --- 20 percent up against previous year’s returns.

Sultani was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) at the port in Zaranj, the provincial capital.

ASYCUDA, a computerised customs management system, covers most foreign trade procedures and handles manifests and customs declarations, accounting procedures, transit and suspense procedures.

Sultani said 20 percent of the total revenue came from duty charges on oil imports from Iran and the remaining from textile, electronic equipment and spare-parts.

He linked in the increase in revenue to hard work of customs employees, encouragement of traders to use the southwestern port for their trade activities, provision of more facilities, strict check and balance system and the use of technology.

Governor Mohammad Sami praised customs officials for their hard work and said the installation of the modern system would accelerate trade activities in the province. (Pajhwok)