19/07/2026
To some point, SME owners has a valid point. It is the responsibility of the government and its regulatory agencies to enforce the laws that govern what products are allowed to be imported, sold, and distributed within the country. If certain fabrics or materials are considered inappropriate or prohibited under the law, then stronger enforcement should begin at our entry point.
This raises an important question. What role are Customs and the relevant regulatory authorities playing in preventing these products from entering the country? If such products are not permitted, they should be intercepted before they reach the local market.
At the same time, many SMEs are already struggling to survive in today's economical environment. Running a business requires identifying market demand and supplying products that customers are willing to buy. From a business perspective, if an entrepreneur notices strong consumer demand for a particular type of fabric or product, they may naturally choose to meet that demand in order to keep their business afloat.
However, the primary responsibility still lies with the authorities to ensure that prohibited products are not imported in the first place. If government regulations are clear, consistently enforced, and border controls are effective, these products would neither enter the country nor become available for sale in local markets. Strong enforcement at the point of entry is far more effective than placing all the blame on individual retailers after the products have already reached consumers.
