Sierra Leone Importers Association has requested for government to abolish the exclusive import rights in order to foster a inclusive competitive market environment.
Speaking to the press, the Deputy Secretary General Sheriff Barrie intensified that the issue of increase in prices of goods and services in the country is not solely the mandate of government but is as well the market structure dynamics, which is largely shaped by the Importers themselves.
Barrie argued that government’s policy of granting exclusive rights to certain Importers, which gives them sole authority to import specific goods is frustrating the market competition.
In his words, mandating a single importer to exclusively import a product is a greater disadvantage to other Importers from importing the same goods. This he said has created a monopoly environment where the sole importer has no competition and can dictate prices without any checks and balances.
He called on the government of Sierra Leone to readjust its policies to open competitive space for more Importers in the market, which he believes will savage price stability and contribute to economic growth in Sierra Leone.
