PRESS: Russian govt mull introduction of coal export duty

MOSCOW, Sep 15 (PRIME) -- Russian government is considering imposing an export duty on coal as a way to cover a budget deficit, Kommersant business daily reported on Thursday citing sources.

The government is actively discussing the next year's budget. The Finance Ministry is looking for new sources of revenue as spending is rising and a deficit is expected.

According to the daily's sources, the mechanism under discussion involves a cut-off price and the percentage of withdrawal in case of its exceeding.

The government is now tentatively planning the introduction of a cut-off price above which the duty will take effect. Another Kommersant source estimates the amount of the duty in the current conditions at $9–10 per tonne.

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