NEWS FROM the meeting held on April 9 regarding import control on footwear is that it's back to the drawing board for importers and retailers. The two groups have until the April 19 to prepare guidelines on where they see themselves going on the issue and how they can assist manufacturers. The issue of the correct valuation of imports in the face of much undervaluing of goods, as well as the amount payable on miminum valuations, were also on the agenda. Those at the meeting also agreed on the importance of establishing a working group to examine ways of improving import control. A spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry says the department cannot wait for consensus for much longer, and that if agreement is not reached soon, the Ministry will go ahead with its proposals. However, if reports emanating from Durban are to be believed, the Minister of Trade and Industry, has been quoted as saying that import controls are already in place.
By Theresa Coles
