Octavio de la Torre, president of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur), warned that the sale of contraband and pirated products, especially in Chinese shopping malls, are bankrupting businesses in Mexico.
“Competition of cheaper products due to subsidies, triangulation of origin, undervaluation of values for tax evasion, smuggling, among other practices lead to the closure of family businesses and legitimately established companies, the loss of jobs and the degradation of the national economy. and local,” declared the businessman.
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The business leader recognized Operation Cleanup, which is carried out jointly by the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of the Navy, the National Army, the National Guard, the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Sonora and the Tax Administration Service, among other agencies. .
“We support what was done in Sonora and in CDMX, for these measures that the federal government carries out in response to this type of practices that are present in the country,” he commented.
“Our approach with federal authorities has borne fruit. This is the result of the working groups held with the general director of the IMPI, Santiago Nieto, and the head of the SAT, Antonio Martínez, to whom we extend the concern of the local Chambers of Commerce, regarding the entry of goods introduced and distributed illegally into the country (or pirated products),” he said.
He recalled that the organization has requested the intervention and support of the SAT and IMPI to carry out measures that address the sale of pirated products, as it affects trade and the local formal economy.
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Operation Cleanup, which combats the sale of merchandise illegally introduced and distributed into the country, seized merchandise with an estimated value of 150 million pesos, allegedly illegally introduced into the country. All of this was assured after an inspection of more than 10 thousand square meters in three large establishments in Hermosillo, Sonora.
“Probably the most important action against smuggling and piracy so far this century. With more than a million pieces seized, we are demonstrating that compliance with the law is non-negotiable and that the well-being of Mexicans is our priority,” declared Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Economy.
The governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo, emphasized the relevance of this joint effort and mentioned that “these actions not only restore legality in commerce, but also confront one of the main sources of financing for criminal activities. Hermosillo, with its legitimate commerce, deserves to be protected, and today we take a firm step in that direction.”
The president of Concanaco Servytur said that the organization is a bridge to propose and promote actions that strengthen the formal economy and thus combat the sale of pirated products.
“Today we seek to work closely with various government entities to strengthen the competitiveness of the sector in the face of the damage caused by piracy and smuggling, illicit activities that affect consumers by not having quality and safe products,” he said.
In the last 12 months, 50 percent of consumers in Mexico voluntarily purchased a product knowing that it was pirated, according to a study by the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University.
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He added that seven out of 10 consumers bought some good without knowing it was pirated, that is, they were deceived.
Also, 9 percent of the people who acquired piracy reported some impact on their health, so it is important to carry out coordinated actions with Profeco to protect consumers and the family economy of Mexicans, according to the confederation.
