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The customs revenues growth in December 2016 doubled in comparison with the monthly incomes in August-September, amounting to UAH 4 billion, the government press service quoted Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman as saying.
"Last year, I achieved monthly growth of customs fees payments by UAH 2 billion starting August. In December, we have achieved extra UAH 4 billion, which means that we have eliminated a lot of corruption schemes worth UAH 4 billion," said Groysman.
The Prime Minister went on to say that 50% of the sum accumulated over the planned amount of the Ukrainian customs' fees is allocated to the local budgets.
Read alsoRada votes for increased excise duties, taxesAs UNIAN reported earlier, in July 2016, Groysman announced major changes in the customs dictated by businesses’ requirements, as well as the recommendations of international financial organizations. In May, Ukraine and the U.S. signed off an agreement on mutual assistance of customs administrations, providing for cooperation between the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine and the United States Customs and Border Protection Service on curbing the illegal activities harmful to the economic interests of both countries. The agreement was one of the stages of the U.S. government's two-year Ukrainian customs reform project with a $4 million funding. The project was agreed in the spring of 2016.
The Prime Minister previously estimated potential growth of customs duties in the Ukrainian budget at UAH 50 billion per year.