Call to increase import duty

 A LOCAL manufacturing industry has called on the Government to increase the import duty on plastic to address the import of plastic shopping bags.

Factory manager of Colorpak Limited, Rajesh Desai, said local manufacturers had the potential to produce plastic bags to meet local demand.

“The ban on the import of non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags has been imposed already and that companies and businesses should obtain a permit to import only biodegradable plastic shopping bags,” he said.

“But, there are still illegal importers and the Government should impose hefty import duty tax to crack down on illegal imports.”  Desai said the reduction in import duty on plastics by the Government had created an opportunity for illegal importers. 

“If the Government increases the duty on imports, specifically on plastics, manufacturing will start immediately,” he said. 

He said manufacturing created a lot of jobs.

“It addresses unemployment and bring in export revenues which are very important for our country’s economy during an unfavourable global economic situation,” Desai said.

“This would contribute to assist global economic issues in the country.

“Living standard of people will be improve and change in lifestyle.”