Review of protective import tariffs under way

THE GOVERNMENT scheme to encourage secondary beneficiation of materials in selected industry sectors has taken a step forward with the Department of Trade and Industry gazetting a review of a number of protective import tariffs, including those on chemicals and plastics, textiles for apparel and clothing, and aluminium. The International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) is to conduct a comprehensive review of these tariffs – with the government intention to cut the costs of key imported inputs into these industries. This could see the reduction or even elimination of certain tariffs when the reviews are finalised – which Itac expects during the first half of next year.