Japanese visa delays anger car importers
Jul 29, 2008
OVER 400 traders under the Used Auto-Mobile and Spare Parts Association have petitioned the Japanese embassy over delays in visa issuance
OVER 400 traders under the Used Auto-Mobile and Spare Parts Association have petitioned the Japanese embassy over delays in visa issuance, reports Nicholas Kajoba.
The association is an umbrella organisation for importers of used Japanese vehicles and spare parts from Katwe, Kisekka Market and Ndeeba, the suburbs of Kampala.
“We appeal to the Japanese embassy to ease the issuing of visas because the process is long and we are given only three- month visas,†James Kanaabi, the association’s secretary, said.
He disclosed that only 10 of the over 40 traders who apply for visas get them. On top of this, Kanaabi added, spare parts importers are required to deposit between $10,000 and $20,000 to their Japanese business associates before the papers for the imported goods are processed. Kanaabi said visa denials cause losses to their members.
“When you deposit your working capital on the account in Japan, you expect to get the visa instantly in order to go and bring your goods. But when you are denied a visa, your money will be idle,†he said.
The association is an umbrella organisation for importers of used Japanese vehicles and spare parts from Katwe, Kisekka Market and Ndeeba, the suburbs of Kampala.
“We appeal to the Japanese embassy to ease the issuing of visas because the process is long and we are given only three- month visas,†James Kanaabi, the association’s secretary, said.
He disclosed that only 10 of the over 40 traders who apply for visas get them. On top of this, Kanaabi added, spare parts importers are required to deposit between $10,000 and $20,000 to their Japanese business associates before the papers for the imported goods are processed. Kanaabi said visa denials cause losses to their members.
“When you deposit your working capital on the account in Japan, you expect to get the visa instantly in order to go and bring your goods. But when you are denied a visa, your money will be idle,†he said.