Golding says 40 per cent increase in customs revenue impossible

Opposition Senator Mark Golding has raised doubts about the government’s target of a 40-percent increase in revenue to be collected by the Jamaica Customs Agency.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw has said he will holding Commissioner of Customs Major Richard Reese responsible for making the target.

IN PHOTO: Customs Commissioner, Major Richard Reese

Estimates by The Gleaner’s Business desk suggest that the customs agency would need to improve collections by up to 11 billion dollars to deliver on the mandate.

READ: Customs to raise revenues by 40 per cent

IN PHOTO: Finance Minister Audley Shaw

Speaking at a People's National Party Westchester Divisional Conference in Portmore, St Catherine, Golding asserted that getting the additional revenue will be impossible.

He argued that the spending power of Jamaicans has been eaten away because of the government’s tax package and the devaluation of the Jamaican dollar.