Ministries, industrial sectors and associations have proposed severalchanges to a draft on export and import tariffs for next year.

The Price Management Department under the Ministry of Finance said thatdue to increased world petrol prices, Vietnam 's fuel import tax hadbeen held at 0-5 percent.

The department added that theproposed fuel import tax rate of 0 to 5 percent set for the next yearwould be lower than the 40 percent rate as required by the World TradeOrganisation (WTO) from 2012.

Therefore, it was suggested that next year's rate be calculated based on national commitment to the WTO.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (VINCEM) said thatan import tax rate of 15 percent based on clinker for 2012 would be toolow, causing an adverse impact on domestic producers. As a result, thecorporation requested a higher tax level be implemented to help revivethe local sector.

However, VINCEM also asked that a zerotax rate be applied in promotion of cement exports in order to helpreduce existing stockpiles.

The Vietnam Rubber Associationmeanwhile requested a higher import tax rate of 20 percent to replacethe proposed 10 percent rate for automobile tyres coded 4011.62.10,4011.63.10 and 4011.92.10 as they could be produced by domesticmanufacturers.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourismin turn said that black-and-white film coded 0372.97.10 should enjoy azero tax rate, due to it being used for archival purposes only, withoutaffecting tax revenues.

As for compact discs and tapes coded 8523, the ministry requested a high tax rate be applied to prevent pirated imports.

Since last month, the Ministry of Finance, having gatheredrecommendations on its new import/export tariffs draft, said thatchanges would not significantly impact exports.

The draft has called for import taxes based on more than 1,000 items be cut in accordance with WTO commitment./.