Pre-budget talks highlight risks of illegal electronic imports

During a pre-budget discussion on the automobile and electronic equipment industries held yesterday (16) at the Presidential Secretariat, stakeholders raised concerns about unregulated imports of electronic goods entering the country illegally, often bypassing tax payments through organized groups.

The President’s Media Division said the meeting was chaired by Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando.

Importers warned that such practices not only result in significant revenue loss for the government but also undermine product quality and consumer safety. They urged the government to take prompt action to regulate the market and enforce standards.

Representatives of automobile and electronic equipment importers pledged their full support for the government’s economic development programme under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Vehicle importers noted that the sector has expanded following the government’s recent decision on vehicle imports and submitted several proposals for consideration in the upcoming budget.

The challenges faced by electronic equipment importers were also discussed during the session.

Minister Fernando assured that all constructive proposals from industry stakeholders would be carefully reviewed during the preparation of the budget. He further stated that new regulations may be introduced to ensure only quality products are imported, while strict legal action will be taken against organized groups involved in illegal importation.