The Ethiopia-based cartridge manufacturer claims local press reports are false.
Africa Intelligence (subscription required) reported on Premium Print Plc – which is a subsidiary of Scotland-based EC Solutions Ltd. – supposedly having its “production license withdrawn” in early May, having been awarded this by the Ethiopian trade ministry in 2008. The company “assemble[s] printer cartridges”, but the story alleged that the ministry “suspect[ed] it of not adding any value in its factory”.
The site further noted that Premium Print was “suspected of merely importing finished products” from TRS Swiss Production, based in Serbia, and as a consequence, the ministry ordered the National Bank of Ethiopia to “freeze all of Premium Print’s financial operations”, while the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ECRA) was set to “seize all its imports”. The ECRA supposedly added that Premium Print “has paid $1 million in tax over the last two years”, with computers also seized.
Richard Harron, CEO of the company, told The Recycler: “The story is not true. It was published in a local Ethiopian paper sometime ago. We know exactly who is behind the many tricks (this being only one of many) trying to drive us out of the market because we have now gained good market share. Somebody who owes the company a lot of money and wants to get out of paying their debt is behind the lies. We have subsequently lodged court cases against the individuals and companies involved.
“We are currently working with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, British Embassy and other government bodies due to the treatment we have received, because of the lies being told. We are also working with the above and are finalising our export plans and will be commencing very shortly into our second Eastern African country – Kenya.”
An embassy spokesperson commented: “The British Embassy in Addis Ababa regularly provide(s) assistance to British companies in Ethiopia. We have been assisting Premium Print plc to resolve regulatory and operational challenges in cooperation with senior Ethiopian government officials.”
Celine Coleman, Director of Marketing at Clover Technologies Group, which acquired TRS in 2011, added: “The situation with Premium Print was related to a Premium Print licence expiry, the situation was temporary and has since been resolved fully.”