The 15th Annual Meeting of Asian EXIM Banks

The 15th Annual Meeting of Asian EXIM Banks Forum to hold on October 28-30, 2009 in Phuket, Thailand. Many delegates from 10 organisations will discuss a wide range of issues, foster common understanding and sharing information, as well as to look for opportunity for further regional cooperation.

Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand), and Dr. Apichai Boontherawara, EXIM Thailand’s President, hosted a welcome reception for the participants of the 15th Annual Meeting of Asian EXIM Banks Forum from 9 member organizations in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand as well as delegates from the Asian Development Bank. Dr. Pruttichai Damrongrat, Deputy Minister of Finance, delivered a welcome remark at Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket yesterday (October 28, 2009).

 

Import rules take effect on security risk cellphones

The commerce ministry has prohibited import of mobile phone handsets (classified under ITC (HS) Code ‘8517’) without International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number or with all zeroes’ IMEI, with immediate effect from October 14, 2009. Import of ‘CDMA mobile phones’ (classified under ITC (HS) Code ‘8517’) without Electronic Serial Number (ESN)/Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) or with all zeroes as ESN/MEID is also prohibited with immediate effect from the same date.

The prohibition comes in the wake of increasing security concerns regarding cheap ‘Made in China’ mobile handsets that have no IMEI/MEID numbers or same/fake IMEI numbers that make it very difficult for the security agencies to trace the phone calls to the callers or block the handset or obtain the call details from the retrieved handsets.

Import of raw fur-skins (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, suitable for furriers’ use), of mink, lamb, fox, etc, is free under the import policy, but these will now be subject to Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and CITES (Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species). The move follows pressures to be in compliance with international conventions.

Credit: TNC Rajagopalan