UNISAME calls for revision of solar panel import policy to accommodate SMEs

August 29, 2023 (MLN): The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) on Monday urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Exchange Policy Department, and Ministries of Commerce, and Finance to revisit the import policy of Solar Panels to accommodate the SME importers and change their narrow-minded policies, according to a statement issued by UNISAME on the same day.

President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said that they have asked the policymakers not to discriminate between first-tier and second-tier shippers as SME importers usually import from second-tier shippers and remove all impediments.

“They have also asked for facilities for imports under self-finance,” Thaver added.

Hassan Ibrahim chairman of Solar Pan Importers group pointed out that the country is facing unaffordable electricity charges and protesting and the situation is precarious as it is now beyond tolerance and they are apprehensive that consumers may become violent and become unmanageable.

Ally Abdul Sattar general secretary of Solar Panels Importer's Syndicate said the policymakers must be wise and take positive steps to declare solar panels as essential items and allow imports under the self-finance scheme to enable SME importers to import solar panels from the best source.

He urged to end discrimination against second-tier shippers as SMEs usually have connections with second-tier suppliers who are competitive and prompt shippers.

Hussain Ali, convener of the UNISAME Logistics Committee, said that there is a lot of unrest.

He emphasized that policymakers need to understand that as long as the SME importers are making the commercial banks comfortable by depositing equivalent amounts in Pakistani rupees or US Dollars in foreign currency accounts, or by agreeing to deposit advance payments against export contracts and earning their own dollars to import against export contracts, they must be facilitated.

Unisame Council members said the policymakers must change their mindset and think broad-mindedly to ease the economic and energy crisis accommodate alternate solar energy installations and allow imports of solar panels without impediments.

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