TACKLING ILLICIT TRADE
Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 11 February 2020
“SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eranda Kotelawala says the new state of the art mobile X-ray scanner machine will help to contain and curb the illicit trade activities.
“Kotelawala stated that containerised cargo movement is the lifeblood of legitimate business and shipping industry.
“It also feeds the supply chain to the shadow economy including illicit tobacco, sub-standard alcohol, drug trades and other contraband goods,” he added.
“He further highlighted that as the country’s trade volume continues to grow every year, the key objectives should be to target and confront shadow economic activities, fuel fraud, tobacco and drug smuggling.
“While at the same time facilitating the free flow of legitimate trade,” Kotelawala said.
“It’s understood that the new X-ray scanner machine was fully funded by SIPA and it is one of the most powerful and sophisticated mobile container scanner models currently available on the market.
“It was built by Nutech Company Limited China in their Beijing factory.”
Copyright @ 2020, Solomon Star News.