English
FrançaisComplaint
- Complaint number
- NTB-001-189
- NTB Type
- 1.8. Import bans
- Complaint
-
Malawi Ministry of Trade & Industry has introduced a new regulation for imports of sweets. Our customer applied for Import Permit 3 times and each time it was rejected. Our customer has tried every possible way however he has not managed. Malawi authorities are not giving the reason in writing. They have informed our customer verbaaly that because of the shortage of forex in Malawi, their superiors have informed them that they are not to issue the Import Permit for sweets. Also, there is a local manufacturer already making sweets so there is no reason to import.
This action has raised great concerns, as it contravenes the trade agreements under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), to which both Kenya and Malawi are signatories.
We kindly request this issue be addressed promptly. - Progress update note
-
1. On 17 September 2024, Kenya reported that Malawi has introduced a measure that requires Kenya importers to Malawi should apply for a permit. Kenya was ready to comply with the new measure however her application has been rejected three times without any explanation.
2. On 25 September 2024, Malawi uploaded the measure which contains a list of products are are affected by the measure. and advised that since the regulation came into effect, the Ministry of Trade had issued several import licenses of Sweets to importers who applied and met all the necessary requirements. In this case, Malawi requested that Kenya importers apply for the licenses and follow all the necessary requirements. Malawi Focal Point clarified that the new regulation is not only for Sweets, but other products as well that are subject to import and export licensing.
3. On 20 October 2024, Kenya responded that their records showed that Malawi had not issued licences for applications applied since August 2024 when the new notice was issued. Kenya exporters and their clients in Malawi had applied and followed all necessary requirements and the applications were shared in August 2024 however, Malawi had not issued a licence as at October 2024. Kenya therefore requested Malawi to facilitate the issuance of the license to facilitate trade as the specific Kenya manufactured sweets for Malawi orders are stranded for the much-awaited licence. - Policy or regulatory NTB
- No
- Location
- Malawi: Ministry of Trade & Industry (Government institution)
- Reporting Country or Region
- Kenya
- Country specific trade issue
- No
- Date of incident
- 2024-09-17
- Status
- In process
- Product Description
-
CONFECTIONERY SWEETS
- Total value
- 547.00
- Date reported
- 2024-09-25 08:10
- Modified
- 2024-10-14 22:01
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