Mozambique: Advisory Commission seeks to curb “unbridled” import of ceramic products – Carta

The Import Advisory Commission (CCI) will propose measures to the government to curb the “unbridled” entry of ceramic products, such as tiles, into Mozambique. This unchecked importation has already led to the closure of a production line at Safira Mozambique Ceramic and the loss of 700 jobs, António Grispos announced on Monday. The proposal for government intervention was made by the Secretary of State for Commerce, Grispos, in statements to journalists following a meeting with Safira representatives and a visit to the factory in the Moamba district, Maputo province.

“This visit today to Safira is carried out in my capacity as president of the Import Advisory Commission,” said Grispos. The visit aimed “to assess the impact Safira is facing due to the excessive and unbridled import of ceramic products,” he said. “It should be emphasised that they currently have a closed production line, with many millions of square metres no longer being produced,” he added Following the closure of this production unit, 700 workers lost their jobs, and numerous indirect employees also lost their livelihoods, Grispos stressed.

“There are various factors undermining family survival. Investments have been made here, and we must address this,” emphasised António Grispos. Regarding the type of measures to be proposed to the government to protect Mozambique’s ceramic industry, Grispos did not provide details but indicated they would align with policies restricting the import of products that can be produced locally.

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“Mozambique has already adopted temporary import restrictions to protect local production. These measures are designed to boost domestic production,” said the Secretary of State for Commerce. READ:Mozambique: Government restricts non-essential imports – AIM report | See full list of 16 items inside “Certainly, the Commission [Import Advisory Commission] is in a position to make a conscientious decision, so as not to harm the producer, but above all to strengthen national production. There is a range of measures the government could consider […] such as raising the import surtax from 7.5% to 20%,” admitted António Grispos.

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