Tengrinews.kz - Will Kazakhstanis see an increase in food and other goods prices due to the planned VAT hike? Trade and Integration Minister Arman Shakkaliyev was asked about this issue.
Speaking to journalists in the Mazhilis, reporters noted that prices for some goods and services were already rising, despite the fact that VAT had not yet been increased.
"How high will prices go, and will this process be controlled?" one journalist asked.
In response, the minister questioned whether the price hike claims were coming from experts "or a grandma in the kitchen."
"As for changes in tax rates and the tax maneuver, the bill is just beginning to be discussed. Many experts have already shared their opinions on whether prices will rise or fall, but we only have calculated estimates from the Ministry of National Economy. These suggest that a one-time price increase of up to 3 percent is possible," Shakkaliyev stated.
The minister emphasized that the tax maneuver would not affect the B2C sector (business-to-consumer transactions), meaning it should not impact regular consumers.
"If you have specific facts, if someone has publicly stated that they are raising prices due to the upcoming tax changes, then this is a matter for both us and the antimonopoly authority to investigate. There are sanctions for such public statements," Shakkaliyev added.
Previously, the National Statistics Bureau published data on inflation in Kazakhstan.