Al-Rahi Warns against New 'Veiled' Taxes in the 2022 State Budget
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday warned against passing, in the 2022 state budget, new financial decisions similar to the new wage scale.
"We warn against trying to pass financial decisions that are more like a new veiled version of the new wage scale," al-Rahi ssaid.
He also advised against imposing "camouflaged" taxes and fees.
"Imposing taxes must take place in the phase of recovery and growth, not in the phase of collapse," the Patriarch said, adding that "it must happen within the framework of a reform plan."
Al-Rahi stressed that "such decisions would aggravate the economic collapse, without increasing the purchasing power of families."
"It would be a fatal blow to the free economic system in Lebanon," he concluded.
Prime Minister Najib Miqati, in a press interview, had promised there won't be new taxes in the 2022 state budget, but rather facilities. "Any increase will be smooth and gradual because we feel with the citizen.”
He also said that the government will discuss in its upcoming session increasing transportation allowances and disbursing social grants.
Cabinet is expected to convene this week to discuss the 2022 state budget and other vital issues.
Meetings with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund will start on Monday, Miqati said. Passing the state budget is a prerequisite for launching the talks with the IMF.
Source: Naharnet
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