Officials of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on Saturday said in the first eight months of this year they have collected 94 billion AFs in national revenue and they hope by the end of the year to collect more than the set target of 152 billion AFs.

According to the ministry, this year the national revenue target of 152 billion AFs and based on the estimates of the ministry. They are on course to collect more than the target by the end of the year.

Finance minister, Iklil Hakimi, also said the minister has spent 60 percent of its development budget over the past eight months.

“This the national revenue target was determined at 152 billion AFs and we in the eight months of this year managed to collect more than 94 billion AFs. It is possible that this year our revenue could increase to higher than the target,” said Hakimi. 

Meanwhile Hakimi said after Afghanistan was taken off the banking gray list, the situation of three banks in the country has improved. He insists reforms still need to be undertaken in the financial sectors.

Customs play a vital role in the increase of the national revenue. Representatives of the private sector say government has applied more strict custom and tax laws and is trying to increase the national revenue.