Nexus of int’l tobacco companies : Local tobacco industry on verge of extinction

International Tobacco Companies have forged vicious nexus to annihilate the local tobacco industry in Pakistan.
Planning is underway to cause immense harm to the local tobacco growers on the basis of false and concocted reports like Nelson report which is extremely biased and contrary to the facts.
On one hand national economy is being caused colossal loss under tax head by smuggling international brand cigarettes to Pakistan from Afghanistan and on the other side efforts are being employed overtly and covertly to establish monopoly of international tobacco companies in Pakistan.
Illicit cigarette trade accounts for nearly a quarter of the gross trade of the product causing an annual loss of Rs 24 billion to the national exchequer, says a research report.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/06-May-16/nexus-of-intl-tobacco-companies-local-tobacco-industry-on-verge-of-extinction

Alibaba’s Taobao steps up measures to fight fake luxury goods

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s online shopping platform Taobao is tightening controls on the sales of luxury goods, requiring sellers to show proof of authenticity, as it fights sales of fake items on one of China’s top online platforms.

From May 20, sellers of luxury products will be required to upload proof, such as an invoice or authorization letter from the luxury brands, for examination by Taobao, or the goods will be removed from the portal, while their funds can be frozen.

“To create a healthy shopping environment with a high level of integrity and to protect the legal interests of consumers and brand owners, Taobao is gearing up to regulate sales of luxury brands’ products,” it told sellers in a notice dated May 4.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-alibaba-taobao-idUSKCN0Y10VH

Up in smoke

The illicit trade in tobacco products inflicted a revenue loss of Rs27.7 billion upon Pakistan last year, as per information provided to a committee of the Parliament.
Besides terrorism, cigarette smuggling also nurtured black economy, which was now estimated to be over 70 per cent of GDP against 62.8 per cent in 2005.
According to WHO affiliate “Framework Alliance and Health Bridge,” smuggled cigarettes formed a major portion of the illicit tobacco trade in the Pakistani market, and their volume was constantly rising. In the year 2015, some 27.1 billion cigarette sticks were smuggled into Pakistan against 16 billion sticks in 2007 and 18 billion sticks in 2008.
 

http://tns.thenews.com.pk/smoke/#.VzMOJtJ97IU

Authorities break up Chinatown buses cigarette-smuggling ring

A trafficking operation that used Chinatown buses and cars to bring 2 million contraband cigarettes into New York City every week has been extinguished by authorities.
The alleged ringleaders ran a tobacco shop in Virginia, where taxes are far lower, and would buy large quantities of smokes at about $40 a carton, said city Sheriff Joseph Fucito.
 

http://nypost.com/2016/05/08/authorities-break-up-chinatown-buses-cigarette-smuggling-ring/

Why Make in India when you can Fake in India

Most of us know at least one person who went abroad during summer holidays and returned flaunting his/her Gucci bag and Prada glasses. Often there would be a clique, green with envy, touting it all to be ‘duplicate maal‘ (fake products). They weren’t always far from truth considering how rampant counterfeiting is, globally, when it comes to luxury products. India is one of the hotbeds for the same with every city boasting of at least one popular destination for premium brands at non-premium rates.

http://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/business-of-brands/why-make-in-india-when-you-can-fake-in-india/52092245

US cracks down on counterfeiting

The illegal importation, distribution and sale of counterfeit products pose a significant and growing threat to the health and safety of the public, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials warned during a hearing before the Senate’s judiciary committee.
Bruce Foucart, director of the ICE-led National IP Rights Coordination Center, testified to the dangers of fake goods and their impact to consumer safety.
He said: “Law enforcement, public education, demand reduction and global collaboration are all critical to successfully address this crime.”
 

http://ipprotheinternet.com/ipprotheinternetnews/article.php?article_id=4904#.VzMQNNJ97IU