News of trade taskforce a ‘relief’

By CLARISSA MOI
Manufacturers’ Council chief executive officer Chey Scovell says the industry is committed to working with Government to tackle illicit trade.
He said this yesterday when welcoming news of the National Executive Council (NEC) decision to establish an illicit trade taskforce on Thursday.
Scovell told The National that manufacturers went into the weekend with a sigh of relief on the news.
“It was especially pleasing to learn that NEC went with a strong choice to head the taskforce – and that it will be reporting directly to the ministerial economic committee,” he said.
“We are happy and now fully expecting this taskforce to be effective and functional – something that was highly unlikely if contained within the purview of the public service mechanisms. From industry, at this stage, it’s all thanks to the leadership for this decision and we remain committed to making it happen.
“As the PM said in his breakfast address, Government leaders have recognised the problem and will address it.
“There will be no protection for illicit traders, and also note that illicit traders require the use and assistance of Customs and Internal Revenue Commission officers.
“When we came to the table, we were all on the same page.
“We needed a relentless, unbending, urgent effort from a strong, independent team of selected persons to fix this.”
Scovell said they expected good support in putting together a team.
“One of the positives from the delay, caused by the different approach by Customs, has been the time it has allowed for intelligence to be gathered. It is pleasing to know there is no shortage of qualified, morally-upright patriots who are willing to help root out these illicit traders in both private and public sectors.”
Scovell said the industry had cooperating with Government on addressing unfair trading and illicit trade was a significant issue.