GOVERNMENT: FUEL TAX FOR GAZA POWER PLANT WILL BE CUT BY HALF

Gaza, 24 Safar 1437/6 December 2015 (MINA) – The Ramallah-based Palestinian government backtracked on its decision to extend a freeze on the blue tax imposed on fuel shipments for the Gaza power plant and said the tax would be reduced only by 50 percent.

The energy authority in Gaza stated on Thursday (3/12) that the finance ministry in Ramallah told it that it would not fully cancel the blue tax on fuel supplies for the power plant in Gaza as the cabinet had pledged a few days ago and would have to reduce it by half, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The energy authority added that under the new development, the power plant would not receive next Sunday’s fuel shipment.

A national committee of Palestinian factions had agreed with the government to extend the fuel tax exemption for the power plant for one week as a prelude to prolonging the period.(T/P008/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)