HERAT - The revenue of western Herat province reached more than 10 billion Afghanis ($205 million) over the last six months, showing a 45 percent increase compared to the corresponding period last year, an official said on Monday.
The provincial government's income during the first six months of the last year stood at about 6.9 billion afs, said the revenue department head, Ghulam Yahya Sarkhush. The revenue collected from government departments was sent to the state exchequer.

Revenue collected from transport, passport and traffic departments were less than last year, he said, adding the customs' department income had gone up by 47 percent. Similarly, tax recovery also rose by 32 percent.

Customs Director Ihsanullah Kamawal linked the increase to the efficiency of different institutions, facilitation of traders and prevention of smuggling.

He said the Ministry of Finance had set the revenue target for the current Afghan year for the customs department at 16 billion afs. But the director expected more than 20 billion afs collections.

The import of fuels, vehicles, food, medical tools, fabric and construction materials were the main sources of revenue for the customs department, he explained.