Government lawmakers would look to push through the proposed duty hike on cigarettes and fizzy drinks when the parliament reconvenes next month, chief government lawmaker Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik said Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after a joint parliamentary group meeting between ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and coalition partner Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), the Villi-Maafannu MP said lawmakers had discussed the proposed legislation that would be addressed in the first week after the parliament reconvenes on February 6.
"Government has already proposed several important bills. That includes the proposed excise duty hike on cigarettes and fizzy drinks to boost state revenue. The first thing parliament will do is to increase the duty on cigarettes," PPM parliamentary group leader Nihan said.
Government had proposed to raise excise duty on each cigarette by MVR1.75 which would likely elevate the price of a pack from the current MVR47 to over MVR50.
Government hopes the duty hike on cigarettes would yield a revenue of an estimated MVR200 million next year.
In addition, the 20 percent excise duty increase on fizzy drinks would boost government revenue by MVR9 billion.
