ISLAMABAD, Aug 6: The value of dutiable imports increased by 28.76 per cent to Rs35.05 billion during the first month of the financial year 2002-03 against Rs27.22 billion over the corresponding month of last fiscal.

Official figures released by the Central Board of Revenue showed that the value of total imports surged by 24.33 per cent to Rs58.05 billion during July 2002-03 against Rs46.69 billion during the same month of last fiscal.

On the other hand, the value of duty-free imports stood at Rs23 billion in July this year against Rs19.47 billion during the same month last year, showing an increase of 18.13 per cent.

The total revenue from the dutiable imports in July this year stood at Rs3.5 billion against Rs2.75 billion during the same month last year, showing an increase of 27.27 per cent.

Official sources in the CBR attributed the increase in the dutiable imports to the keen interest of the Pakistani importers to take active part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

They said that as the maximum customs tariff was reduced to 25 per cent from 30 per cent this year, therefore, businessmen would opt for maximum imports of goods this year.