Local News Update: The import of several commodities is restricted as a measure for protecting small export crop cultivators and small and medium scale industrialists. Steps have been taken to restrict the importation of several commodities by two special gazette notifications with effect from midnight recently (5), in the direction of Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy Development having achieved the objective of protecting and encouraging the Minor export crop growers and Small and Medium-scale industrialists.
Accordingly, the importation of pepper, mustard, Tamarind, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, ginger, and cloves has been banned. Gazette notice was issued according to the trade centralized orders of the Finance Act; import of spices with the objective of re-export after minor preparation of direct re-export is prohibited. This will be benefited to the farmers who cultivate agro products in 9 districts approximately.
Steps have been taken to monitor the import of Vesak lanterns, kites and incense sticks which have been locally good quality and highly competitive domestic industries by virtue of the Second Gazette notice issued in terms of the Regulations of the Import and Export Control Act.
Further, any project related to the recycling such as dump and dump reuse is not allowed, Entrepreneurs are not allowed for the reshipping or any re-export on business purpose projects related to the recycling such as dump and dump reuse.
The Hon. Prime Minister has taken these steps as the Minister of Finance with the objective of preventing the damage for the goodwill of Sri Lanka as an export brand due to the substandard re-exports.
