Gulf | Oman
Gulf states studying proposal to introduce Green Tax
Levy to discourage people from using substances that harm environment.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 19:27 April 21, 2009
Muscat: The Gulf Cooperation Council states are studying a proposal that seeks to impose "Green Tax" to protect the environment in the region.
"We are discussing a proposal to introduce Green Tax in the region which would be modelled on the lines of similar system in some of the EU and Far Eastern countries," Ali Al Kiyumi, the Director General of Nature Conservation, told Gulf News on the sidelines of a meeting of Environment Undersecretaries from the GCC member states.
He explained that green taxes were aimed at discouraging people from buying or using anything that could harm the environment. "We would impose these taxes on goods arriving at all the entry points, airports and harbours," he added.
Delivering a key note address during the opening of the two-day event on Tuesday at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Oman's Undersecretary for Environment, Mohammad Al Araimi, said that top GCC environment officials will also discuss about setting up a regional Centre for monitoring natural disasters or taking precautionary measures to avert it.
However, no concrete plans have been worked out about the location of the centre.
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