Indian Paper Manufacturers Association demands higher duties on paper imports

摘要

The Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) is concerned about the competitive strength of domestic paper mills in the face of cheap imports from China and other Asian countries. Especially since the coronavirus outbreak, Indian paper manufacturers have come under even greater pressure, IPMA writes in a statement. The association has therefore written to the Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry urging an increase to basic customs duties on paper imports from currently 10 per cent to 25 per cent.The association also demands the inclusion of paper in the negative list of all existing and future free trade agreements (FTAs) and hence to be put in the 'restricted' category. IPMA further favours a regulation to allow imports only for end-consumers. Better monitoring of imports could also be achieved by permitting paper imports through a single designated port in the country, IPMA has suggested.