The Northern India Textile Mills’ Association, (NITMA) on behalf of its members sent following suggestions to Ministry of Commerce & Industry & Ministry of Textiles on Non-Tariff Barriers that India can impose on its competitors, i.e. China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and others.
Restriction on quantity of import under HS 55092100 to 2000 tons/month by introducing import licenses that are issued by the government to the importers as imports have surged to 9000 tons/month from 500 tons/month in a period of only 2 years (An increase of 1592% over a period of 2.5 years).
The RKM of all products under 55092100 should be 40 or more to meet the requirement of next generation knitting & weaving machines.
Articles imported under 55092100 should be free of carcinogenic heavy metal compounds (Sb2O3) of Antimony (Sb) which are released into the Indian water bodies when fabrics made from these imported yarns are dyed at high temperatures thereby endangering both humans & the environment.
EU flower &Oekotex certificate must accompany all import shipment under 55092100 to prevent the entry of any other hazardous substances into India through these yarns.
Imports under 55092100 should only be permitted against advance license so that the dumping from Indonesia, Vietnam & China can be harnessed to increase India’s exports while at the same time protecting the domestic manufacturers from unfair competition.
Imports under 55092100 should only be permitted if the importer can pay directly to the exporter with his own foreign exchange obtained through his export activities abroad to further boost India’s exports & keep a check on surging imports to improve the export-import deficit.