The Commissioner for VAT Mr. J.F. Odartey-Blankson has hinted that revenue collected through VAT from January to June 2001 exceeded the target set for the period, writes The Independent.

He said this is a very positive indication for his outfit, adding, once we step up enforcement and education, compliance level will shoot-up.

The new Commissioner gave the hint when he paid a working visit to the VAT Office at Takoradi but refused to give the actual figures collected during the period. Such figures Mr Odartey- Blankson said are normally given to the Finance Minister before they are made public.

The VAT Commissioner pointed out that notwithstanding this modest achievement there is a lot of money out there, which his outfit needs to collect to boost the revenue position of the government.