Sri Lanka's Association for Products and Importation of Raw Materials in the Footwear Sector (APIRMFS) has urged the government to resolve confusion among the raw materials and complete shoes import industries. The similarity in identification codes for import duty is creating problems.

According to APIRMFS chairman Mahendra Perera, a high duty has been imposed on imported shoes to benefit the local footwear industry. But imported shoes and the imported raw materials for the local footwear industry are categorised under the same BTN number.

According to Mr Parera, this has resulted in high prices for raw materials in the local market and has made a huge impact on the local footwear industry with high production costs.

Sri Lanka imports footwear raw materials from India, China, Taiwan and Thailand.