Apparel sector representatives denounce decision to remove reference guides

AMMAN — The Textile, Readymade Clothes and Footwear Syndicate on Monday said that the cancellation of the apparel sector’s reference guides negatively impacts the industry and leads to price increases.

In a statement, President of the Syndicate Sultan Allan said that the syndicate’s board is currently examining the impact of the cancellation of the reference guide, a guide that ensures the stability of customs evaluations of imported clothes and footwear. 

“The local apparel sector is in need of supportive measures for traders and all sector operators,” Allan told The Jordan Times. 

He added that there will be a general meeting to further discuss customs evaluations of imported goods, sector operators’ requirements and overall state of the industry.

According to representative of the garment and jewellery sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Asad Qawasmi, “reference guides assist in estimating the customs that are to be added or imposed on imported goods”.

These guidelines also help monitor the sector, and their abolition means that the prices of imported goods after customs will be determined by customs officials.

Speaking with The Jordan Times, Hala Abdulla, owner of an apparel boutique in Amman, said that “we need measures and decisions that support us, and not additional challenges”.

“To have a clear indicator [reference guides] gives some sort of assurance to apparel sector operators when importing goods,” she added.

Abed Manaseer, the co-owner of a family apparel store, said “we do not expect to continue for more than one or two years. The decisions are constantly changing, there are no positive indicators and we are barely making any profit”.

“Such decisions will affect all: The traders and customers,” Manaseer added.