ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) paid Rs9.061 billion refund/ rebate to exporters during the first two months (July-August) of the current fiscal year compared to Rs8.613 billion paid during the same period last year, an increase of 5.2 per cent.

Official figures released here on Friday showed that payment of sales tax refund declined by over five per cent during the period under review. However, payment of customs rebate registered a growth.

The payment of sales tax refunds witnessed a decrease of 5.10 per cent to Rs5.649 billion during July-August 2004-05 against Rs5.953 billion in the corresponding period of last year.

However, the payment of customs rebate showed an increase of 28 per cent to Rs3.412 billion during the period against Rs2.66 billion paid during the same period of last year.