Mexican President moves to assure footwear producers on smuggling drive
No less a dignitary than the President himself, Mr Vincente Fox, has met with representatives of CICEG - Chamber of the Footwear Industry of the State of
Mr. Fox, who is an ex-governor of Guanajuato, also promised to cut export red tape, adding that the stricter control over Customs Officers would be exercised with the co-operation of the Confederation of Associations of Customs Officers of Mexico (CAAAREM). In addition, he said various national law enforcement agencies including the Federal Agency of Investigation would exchange information on crimes such as contraband, money laundering and tax evasion.
"Entrepreneurs shall keep pressing for governmental contraband-fighting actions at all levels," asserted Mr. Salim Alle, president of CICEG, after the meeting, adding that the government had been asked to implement a legislative proposal already approved by the Senate under which smuggling would fall into the category of "organised crime," and carry appropriate penalties. Such measures would prevent problems similar to those encountered by Nike International which instigated the seizure of 350,000 pairs of counterfeit shoes in raids on 15 shops at Colonia Morelos. Alfredo Medina, attorney for Nike International, had since filed a complaint of contraband and tax evasion against the perpetrators, Mr Alle added.
The points agreed upon at the meeting with President Fox included "ex ant" control schemes under which imported goods would undergo more thorough checks, as well as the application of the ‘Valunet’ system, to fight illegal practices such as the underinvoicing of imports.
As part of the drive to counter corruption among politicians, Mexican industrialists have also recently agreed to take part in the "Adopt a Member of Parliament" programe, under which politicians would be more accountable for their actions to the business world. For many years,
