New measures to combat smuggling endorsed by the cabinet

Damascus (ST): A meeting held at the cabinet has endorsed a package of new measures to combat smuggling in coordination among the Ministries of Finance, Economy and External Trade, Industry, Internal Trade and the Ministry of Interior.

The measures include tightening control over border crossings to prevent the entry of smuggled goods and taking appropriate measures to combat smuggling through simplifying import and export measures and expanding the list of imported goods with the aim of ensuring the basic needs of citizens.

The Ministry of Industry and the Union of Industry Chambers were asked to present a detailed study of the raw materials  required for the production process to issue decisions that guarantee their importation in a simplified way.

The participants also decided to tighten penalties on smugglers who smuggle subsidized goods, especially oil derivatives, flour and livestock.

The measures come within the framework of the efforts being exerted by the government to combat smuggling and its adverse consequences on national economy and weakening the purchase capacity of the Syrian pound.

K.Q.