Indications are rife that service charges will be increased by 10 percent for transactions and other facilities rendered to citizens and expatriates by the Government, reports Al-Shahid daily.

The daily quoting sources indicated a comprehensive study is being prepared by the committee in charge of reviewing rates for services, in the framework of the State’s plan to review tariffs on services in various sectors – as the current rates do not cope with the present circumstances and strains the State budget.

The same sources included the Municipality among sectors affected by the increase in service charges where 14 new charges will be introduced, amid the possibility of increasing fines for traffic violations and other services rendered by the Ministry of Justice and health sector.

License fees for sectors in real estate, commerce and industry, as well as customs rates for every commodity, goods and vehicles entering the country are expected to be increased by 15 percent, as part of measures to remedy the deficit in the national budget.

SOURCE : THETIMES