Iran has lifted a five-year-old ban on imports of goods that are also made in Iran, such as home appliances.
The Presidency’s legal department sent a letter to the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade (MIMT) saying the minis try may now allow imports of foreign-made consumer goods that compete with Iranian-made products, according to a report May 7 from the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).
The letter said the ban on imports of such products had been imposed in 2019 to support domestic manufacturers but had now expired, although the MIMT would still be allowed to regulate imports by imposing tariffs on some goods.
The order comes amid complaints from many people that the ban led to a monopoly for domestic manufacturers, meaning consumers had to pay exorbitant prices for low-quality products.
Others have defended the ban, saying it helped domestic manufacturing and enabled the government to cut back on the country’s massive import bill.
Figures released by the Iranian government have pointed to a steady rise in domestic manufacturing activity in recent years.
In the 19th Century, the United States used tariffs extensively to protect American industries from foreign competition.
