Firms warned against illegal trade

By DALE LUMA
BUSINESSES that are conducting trade illegally will be deregistered and blacklisted, Prime Minister James Marape says.
“We want to target this area of illicit trade,” he said.
“This is a stern warning to all those who are in the illicit and illegal trades of counterfeit and illegal products and in the illicit business.” Marape made the remarks after receiving a report on the illicit trade of tobacco from the PNG Manufacturers Council.
The report Illicit Tobacco in PNG was produced from a study conducted by FTI Consulting, an independent international business advisory firm.
The report showed that the government stood to lose K952 million in potential tax revenue due to illicit cigarette trading this year.
“Those in the cigarette business, operate legally and you will be fine,” Marape warned businesses.
“We want to tidy this space of illegal and illicit trade.
“Our government upon taking office has been serious in the fight against illegal traders, illicit traders and those who are doing it with no government scrutiny.
“We want to ensure that our ports are safe, and in partnership with our ports, all imports into our country come in through approved and designated ports that the PNG Ports controls.”
The Prime Minister said Customs and PNG Ports could work together in partnership to provide a greater level of scrutiny on imports so that only approved imports were entering the country.
“I inform those who are participating in illegal trades, we want to be tough on you and your business, whether it is in the business of cigarettes or any other businesses.
“You will be deregistered and banned in our country if you are found to be participating in illicit trades.”
Marape said deregistration of businesses would be one of the main penalties apart from others being imposed on businesses.