Bai Shan Lin must not be allowed to stifle local investors

Dear Editor,

The Chinese business enterprise is an important component in the world, and we are all consumers of their goods and services. Although this is a fact, I call for greater respect from them, in regards to our country’s policies and people. They must act according to the terms and conditions in their agreements. Bai Shan Lin has put its hands and feet everywhere instead of concentrating on their main area of investment.

Recent complaints have shown that they are competing with our stone, quarries, trucking sand, hardware stores. They are aggressively selling these goods when the duty-free vehicles were bought to mainly transport logs. The wrongful use and abuse of these vehicles needs to be stopped immediately. Their goal should not be to compete with small and medium size businesses. This practice is unheard of and too aggressive. It was reported that Bai Shan Lin is selling hardware on top of log trucks and visits construction sites to sell hardware and construction material. Again, this will definitely affect local manufacturers and porters who solely engage in this trade, and businesses that employ staff and pay workers via NIS.

Government should ensure Bai Shan Lin is not allowed to operate ultra vires its terms of reference.

Bai Shan Lin should make every effort to comply with the terms of reference otherwise there needs to be a suspension of its contract. They should not be allowed to use their giant legs and hands to stifle the investments of local investors. We must encourage the Chinese to invest but with very serious systems to supervise their projects.

Yours faithfully,
Roshan Khan