ISLAMABAD, Aug 2: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has paid Rs7.811 billion refund/rebate to exporters during the first month of the financial year 2002-03 against Rs6.80 billion the same month last year, an increase of 14.83 per cent.

Official figures released by the Board here on Friday showed that the tax authorities have released maximum refunds in July to help boost exports of the country.

Tax-wise break up showed that the CBR paid Rs5.781 billion refunds under the head of sales tax in July against Rs4.09 billion the same month last year, an increase of 41.34 per cent.

Under the head of customs the tax authorities paid Rs2.03 billion rebate against Rs2.712 billion the previous year, showing a decrease of 25 per cent.

CBR official spokesman and member direct taxes Vakil Ahmed Khan said that the extra refunds were paid to exporters in July to clear the backlog of the last year. Khan said that last year the maximum refund/rebate was released to exporters.