Amman, Sept. 7 (Petra) -- The Cabinet’s decision to extend for an additional six months exemptions from customs duties and taxes resulting from increases in sea freight charges, and to apply the exemptions to all goods imported by sea, would help support supply chains and facilitate the movement of goods, Head of the Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies Daifallah Abu Aqoula said.

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Abu Aqoula said the decision would help maintain the flow of goods and prevent global price increases from being reflected in consumer prices. It would also help reduce the impact of higher shipping and transport costs on importers and economic sectors, particularly amid the challenges facing global trade due to regional and international circumstances. He said continuing the exemptions would help contain increases in import costs.

On Sunday, the Cabinet approved extending its previous decision to exempt goods from customs duties and taxes resulting from increases in sea freight charges, while including all goods imported by sea under the exemptions for an additional six months. The exemptions include general and special sales taxes and aim to prevent higher commodity prices for consumers as a result of the regional situation.

Abu Aqoula said extending the exemptions to all goods imported by sea, including general and special sales taxes, would ease the additional burden resulting from higher sea freight charges and limit the impact of these increases on prices in the local market.

He noted that stable shipping costs, particularly sea freight costs, are an important factor in maintaining the flow of goods, raw materials and basic needs into the Kingdom and ensuring the regularity of import and supply operations, benefiting various economic sectors.

He said significant increases in shipping costs affect the final cost of goods. Government measures aimed at reducing these costs help limit the impact of global and regional price increases on consumers and support the competitiveness of the commercial and industrial sectors.

Abu Aqoula stressed the importance of continuing to monitor global developments in shipping and transport costs and their impact on trade costs, while strengthening cooperation between the government and private sector to take appropriate measures to ensure the smooth movement of goods and the continuity of supply chains.

He welcomed the Cabinet’s decision to extend the exemptions, saying it reflects the government’s efforts to limit the effects of higher shipping costs on the national economy and consumers, maintain market stability, and ensure the availability of goods, particularly amid the current regional circumstances.

//Petra//WH