The Kurdistan Regional Government is imposing additional duties on imported fruits and vegetables because of increased production of these crops locally. The imposition of these fees is thus in the interest of domestic producers.
"When local crops are not yet ready, the fees for imported crops are not imposed because the local market needs them," said Mohammed Raouf, an economist and professor at Sulaymaniyah University.
He added that when local crops are ripe and ready for consumption, it is advisable to impose taxes on imported ones, so that the local produce is consumed in the local market and producers don't lose what they have invested on the growing of their crops.
For his part, Sulaymaniyah Agriculture Director Shalao Jamal said that taxes are imposed on these crops every year as of 15 April because the local production increases at this time.
Source: shafaaq.com
