BEIRUT: Syria has reversed a decision exempting taxes on Lebanese fuel importers and refrigerator trucks passing via the border crossings, reported a pan-Arab newspaper Tuesday.
As a result of the change in policy, Lebanese fuel importers and truck drivers would have to pay 24,000 Syrian pounds [LL7,500] in new taxes on all trucks, according to Al-Hayat newspaper.
The initial decree to levy a tax on Lebanese fuel importers and refrigerator trucks was introduced in 2008 but was quickly suspended following negotiations by Syrian and Lebanese officials.
Head of Lebanon’s Syndicate of Fruits and Vegetables Importers and Exporters Abdel-Rahman Zaatari described the decision to reversal as “catastrophic,” and said the decision would lead to a decline in export activity at the height of the agricultural season, the newspaper said.
Zaatari said caretaker Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi promised to “tackle the issue with Syria,” and pledged to work on reversing the decision.
The reversal comes after the Syrian government issued a decree on May 25 to reinstate the levy on all border crossings exiting Lebanon. The measure calls for a 27.5 Syrian pound on every liter of diesel fuel found in trucks and buses enter entering and exiting Syria.