Minister of Finance Keat Chhon announced Thursday that the government has set a target of US$500 million in income tax revenue for 2009, an increase of 20 percent over last year. Income tax revenues in 2008 topped $400 million, according to ministry figures. The establishment of tax collection at the district level will enable more effective control of revenues, the minister said. "We hope to reach our target. Reforms [at the district level] will keep local business operations under tighter control."