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Iran lifts ban on computer components imports

Business Materials 13 November 2012 12:38 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov.13/ Trend F.Milad/

Iran has excluded computer components from the 77-item list of luxury goods banned from being imported into the country, the Mehr News Agency reported.

Iran has temporarily banned the import of some 'luxury goods' including foreign made cars and mobile phones to save billions of dollars for essential products in the face of worsening sanctions.

On November 11, the director of the Iranian association of computer sellers Mehdi Mirmehdi criticised the administration's recent decision to ban imports of computers as luxury goods saying that it may cause a three to five fold rise in prices of computer components, the Mehr News Agency reported.

"The average Iranian family has one computer or more. It is surprising that computers have been included in the list of luxury goods," he added.

The authorities have divided imports into 10 categories based on how essential they are seen to be and will provide importers with dollars at a subsidised rate to buy basic goods.

Import permission for some luxury goods from foreign made cars, mobile phones and laptops to home appliances and clothing are no longer being issued until there is a final review, according to reports.

Deputy Minister of Trade and Mines Hamid Safdel had previously said that mobile and computer components could be later excluded from the list if Iran cannot become sufficient in making them domestically.

To date the list includes agricultural products, furniture, cars, water coolers, various kitchen appliances, soft drinks, cocoa, coffee, sweets, some petroleum gases, cosmetics, candles and matches, clothing accessories, plastic products, dishwashers, toilet paper, carpets, overcoats, shoes, umbrellas, building materials (bricks, tiles, mosaics), jewellery and ornaments, hand tools (pliers, wrenches), bikes, some toys, car batteries, and aluminium products.

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