Yemen’s suffering continues at all levels, from the collapse of the local currency to the high prices since government has decided to impose additional customs duties on all products and basic commodities by 30%.
The decision included all imported goods with the exception of some food commodities whose prices rose despite being excepted from the decision.
Yemeni private commercial sector condemned the decision since it has already directly affected the markets, especially in the month of Ramadan.
Yemen’s customs duties
Several goods has disappeared from the markets since the imposing the decision while black markets appeared selling those goods.
Many Yemeni merchants said that there are double taxes and customs fees that have overwhelmed the Yemeni commercial sector. They added that customs duties are paid in the port of Aden and then fees are added to fees paid in other ports in areas of under the Houthis’ control.
Officials in the commercial sector attributed the prices hikes and commodity bottlenecks in the market for many reasons, including the fuel scarcity and its impact on the production process, transportation and circulation of goods from and to Yemen, in addition to the new customs duties.
Appeals for cancelation
The private commercial sector also appealed to the specialized authorities in the capital, Sana’a, to cancel the decision, as it would affect the prices of goods and products.
In a separate context, the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Ahmed bin Mubarak, said that the Yemeni government has allowed a number of oil ships to enter the port of Al-Hodaydah for humanitarian reasons.
Ahmed bin Mubarak added that the Yemeni government’s decision to allow a number of oil derivatives ships to enter Al-Hodaydah was despite the Houthis’ continued violation of the 2018 Stockholm Agreement.
As part of efforts to solve the Yemeni crisis, the agreement was concluded in Stockholm, Sweden, under the auspices of the United Nations on December 13, 2018. The agreement aimed at holding a truce in Al-Hodaydah province.
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