Band 6+: The tables below give information about the amount of exports (millions of tonnes) moving through Rotterdam port in Holland to various global destinations in 2002 and 2012; and also, the % rates of tax imposed on these exports by the receiving countries. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below, and make comparisons where relevant.

The tables display information about the quantity of exports being moved through Rotterdam port over a ten-year period, and the the percentage of tax imposed by the receiving countries.

Regarding the volumes that decreased dramatically for most countries, level of exports increased slightly. For example, volume of exports in such destinations as Asia Pacific and Australasia has tripled by 2012. However, Europe- the largest destination- went down from 6900 million to 6400 million, and the U.S.A. – the second highest- dropped from 4200 million to 3900 million. China decreased slightly to 2300 and Latin America dripped to 1500.

Looking at taxation, it is clear that tax increased respectfully in all zones that showed a decline in exports, going up to in U.S.A., China and Latin America, and increasing from 5% to 8% in Europe. It is also seen that zones where volumes increased tended to dramatically decrease their tax percentages to three percents each, while “other” destinations maintained the two percentages.

Overall, ten years illustrated the evident connection between levels of tax and export volumes.