Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Damascus, SANA – The People’s Assembly discussed during a session on Tuesday, chaired by Speaker Mohammad Jihad al-Laham, the performance of the Finance Ministry at the current stage and what measures it has taken to stop tax evasion, control inflation, continue import licenses and follow banking work up.
The MPs stressed in their discussions the need to include retired teachers in the health insurance program, tackle the problem of non-performing loans, realize tax justice and address the real causes of inflation.
In response to the questions of the MPs, Minister of Finance Dr. Ismail Ismail said the Ministry is going ahead with tax reform process to reach stopping tax evasion after completing the adoption of the billing law and real estate sales law in the coming period to supply the state treasury with the necessary funds.
He pointed out that granting licenses for the importing of basic and food materials is taking place in accordance with the priorities to meet the citizens’ basic needs.
As for the recent sharp drop in the Syrian pound against the US dollar and other foreign currencies, Minister Ismail said a main factor contributing to this problem is the presence of smuggled goods in the market, which he said requires the Customs department to intervene and control these goods in light of the difficulty to control borders with some neighboring countries.
Qabas/ H. Said
