DTI further relaxes import controls

TRADE AND industry minister Alec Erwin this month approved a further list of products for the lifting of controls.
These include the lifting of import controls on dried fruit, maize, tomatoes, tomato juice and ketchup, prepared vegetables, jams, fruits and jellies as well as lifting of export controls on coffee.
However, the lifting of controls relate to quantitative import control measures only and not to tariffs, said communications officer Khany Gqulu.
The lifting of controls on these products would be formally implemented by publication in the Government Gazette, he said.
The Department of Trade and Industry was responsible for certain import and export control measures in terms
of the Import and Export Control Act.
Currently import control is exercised mostly for essential health, environmental and safety reasons, on used goods to protect domestic manufacturers, and on some other goods for related reasons. The department has, however, over time removed import control on most other goods and has accelerated this process over the past few years.
In doing so, the department has removed distortions in the supply of many goods to the benefit of consumers and enhanced economic opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. Import control tended to limit supply, allow traditional importers to keep prices high and make excessive profits, said Gqulu.
By Anna Cox