May 19: Birgunj Dryport Customs Office has achieved only about 61% of its revenue target in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2080/81.

Customs Chief Ram Prasad Mainali stated that the decrease in imports due to the economic recession and the reduction in industrial production has impacted revenue collection.

This customs office, located at a major entry point, collected 40.03 billion rupees from the beginning of the fiscal year (Saun) to the end of Baisakh. This amount is 60.72% of the total target.

The Department of Customs had set a target of collecting 54.27 billion rupees for this period. For the current fiscal year, the total revenue target stands at 65.94 billion rupees, but customs officials claim they will not be able to exceed 70% of the target.

Raw materials for the iron industry, such as billets, and maize for animal feed are mainly imported via the dry port. The customs office reported a decline in imports of industrial raw materials and other consumables.