Delay in clearing perishable goods irks importers

DT News Network

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Manama

Delay in clearing perishable goods at the customs has caused inconvenience to the importers, said Muslim Asad Sharafooei, General Manager of Asad Mohd. Taqi Sharafooei Company. 

Speaking to DT News on the sidelines of a meeting with the Food and Agricultural Sector officials, he said, the customs department used to take only one day to clear perishable items like vegetables and meat at the port. But now it takes 10 to 15 days to receive perishable goods from the port, causing a long delay, he said. 

Earlier, the customs officials said that the delay was due to a scanner problem. The scanner has been repaired now. But the problem of delay in clearing perishable goods still persists, Muslim Asad Sharafooei said.

The traders have also expressed their dissatisfaction over the new decision of the Agriculture Affairs, which has compelled the importers to get license for each perishable product separately. “Earlier, we were allowed to buy at least 100 items from 10 countries under one license. Now we are required to obtain separate permission for every import. You have to obtain three licenses if you want to buy the same item from three difference countries,” explained the General Manager of Asad Mohd. Taqi Sharafooei Company. 

Currently, the Agriculture Affairs issues license’s free of cost. But it has decided to charge BD10 per license, which has a validity of six months. Once the Agriculture Affairs starts charging fees, the burden on the importers will increase, he said. 

The traders put forward their grievances before the officials of Agricultural Affairs as well as customs, during the meeting. Meanwhile, the traders had signed an undertaking agreement for providing the goods at fixed price during the holy month of Ramadan.