Kazakhstan mulls raising excise duty on alcoholic beverages

Rates of excise duty on alcoholic beverages in Kazakhstan should be raised, Newskaz.ru reports, citing the country’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Budget Planning Erbolat Dossayev as saying.“Unlike tobacco products (…) there is a possibility of sales going underground (…) we won’t let that happen”, Mr. Dossayev said when unveiling amendments into the 2013-2015 budget before the country’s Majilis (lower chamber).“Within the Customs Union of Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus … raising the excise duty rate is a necessity (…) alcoholic beverages producers have suggested a range of measures to protect the domestic market”, he said.