Govt. halts imports of spices, small crops and Vesak lanterns

• Direct re-export and import of spices for re-export after minor processing will be prohibited
• Agro products cultivators in about nine districts are to benefit from the ban
• Steps taken to regulate importation of Vesak lanterns, kites and joss sticks as they are highly competitive domestic industries

The government has banned the importation of spices and minor crops from midnight Thursday (05) to protect local farmers, a Finance Ministry 
communiqué said.

The importation of black pepper, dry areca nut, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, ginger, turmeric and cloves for re-export has been banned.
The Ministry of Finance said in a statement that the importation of several commodities will be regulated through two special gazette notifications issued on the orders of the Minister of Finance, Economic and Policy Development.

According to the gazette notifications issued under Commercial Hub Regulations in the Finance Act, the direct re-export and import of spices for the purpose of re-export after minor processing are prohibited.

The ban is aimed at protecting and encouraging small export crop growers and small and medium scale industrialists. Farmers who cultivate agro products in about nine districts will benefit from the ban.

A second gazette notification issued in accordance with the Regulation of the Import and Export Control Act has taken steps to regulate the importation of products of highly competitive domestic industries such as Vesak lanterns, kites and joss sticks.

The main objective of this move is to prevent damage to Sri Lanka’s reputation as an export brand due to re-export of substandard products.