The Ministry of Revenues has collected more than 107.6 billion Br in revenues during the first four months of the current fiscal year. Surpassing its target by three percent, its earnings have increased by 17.3 billion Br as compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. The Ministry aims to collect a total of 290 billion Br over this fiscal year. Facilitation of payments through electronic services and stringent control from the administration have been attributed as reasons for surpassing the target and expanding its revenues, according to Lakew Ayalew, minister of Revenues. Contraband items worth over 887 million Br have also been apprehended by the Ministry. Through an effective auditing system, the Ministry was able to collect 11.4 billion Br of outstanding debt from a targeted 8.3 billion Br during the first quarter of the budget year. The Customs Commission, under the wing of the Ministry, reported revenues close to 11.7 billion Br during the first quarter.