7 October, Vitebsk /Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. Economic entities of the Vitebsk region engaged in activities in agro-towns increased their tax payments by almost 1.6 times in comparable prices to Br26.1 billion in January-August 2011. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the press centre of the Ministry of Taxes and Duties Inspectorate for the Vitebsk region. The highest growth rate of budget payments was observed among taxpayers specialising in trade, technical maintenance and repair of automotive, motorcycle and other equipment, reaching over 600% compared to the same period in 2010. Enterprises involved in real estate operations (growth rate 181%), computer equipment (155%), publishing and printing activities (121%), manufacturing (120%), and organisation of recreation and entertainment (108%) also increased their payment volumes. At the same time, a decrease in payment volumes was noted from taxpayers engaged in wholesale and retail trade (excluding automotive and motorcycle equipment), which amounted to 41% and 75% respectively compared to the same period in 2010. The largest amount of tax payments came from enterprises in agro-towns engaged in manufacturing activities (Br12.4 billion), as well as from organisations in the construction sector (over Br6 billion), retail trade (Br2.7 billion), and transport (over Br1.2 billion). As of 1 September, more than 2.3 thousand legal entities and individual entrepreneurs are operating in the agro-towns of the region, accounting for over 5% of the total number of taxpayers in the Vitebsk region. Economic entities operating in small and medium-sized urban settlements are provided with a wide range of benefits and preferences, the tax inspectorate reminded. -0-

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