Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has prohibited the importation of spices and minor export crops for the purpose of re-export or re-export after minor processing.
The Finance Ministry said in a statement that this restriction has been imposed as a measure to protect small export crop growers and SMEs.
Accordingly, the importation of pepper, tamarind, cinnamon, nutmeg, peas, cardamom, ginger, and cloves has been prohibited.
Furthermore, approval will not be given for any re-export business that is related to garbage recycling. However, there is no prohibition on domestic projects on recycling.
This is expected to avoid mixing and re-exporting low quality imported ingredients with high-quality local ingredients.
Meanwhile, steps have also been taken to regulate the importation of kites, incense sticks and Vesak lanterns which are local cottage industries.
Relevant gazette notifications have been issued on the orders of Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa effective from midnight yesterday.
