If the import tax on gas is reduced by 3%, the price of each 12-kg gas cylinder will decrease by only about 5,000 VND. However, in the context of many essential goods such as electricity and fuel increasing in price, even a reduction of 5,000 VND per cylinder would provide psychological support for domestic consumers and help stabilize prices. If the import tax is reduced, the association will call on businesses to lower gas prices, Mr. Thang pledged.
Disagreeing with the Ministry of Finance’s view that maintaining the 5% import tax would encourage enterprises to use domestic products, Mr. Thang explained: “Importing gas is inevitable. Without imports, domestic supply would certainly fall short by about 50% of total demand.”
(Phap Luat TP.HCM, 11/5)
