Quoting figures from the Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh, the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) recently pointed out that Bangladesh is facilitating backdoor entry of Chinese textiles into India and sought Textiles Minister Smriti Irani’s intervention for introducing protectionist measures to safeguard the domestic industry.
India imported $87.4 mn worth of readymade garments from Bangladesh during July-November last year, a sharp rise of 56 per cent compared to $55.92 mn during the same period the previous year. Knitted apparel imports from Bangladesh rose by 69 per cent, while women apparel imports grew by 51 per cent. GCCI representatives recently met Irani and proposed 15 suggestions for the proposed textile policy, according to a report.
Before goods and services tax (GST) was introduced, garment imports from Bangladesh attracted countervailing duty (CVD) and education cess. Now a unilateral duty-free market access given to Bangladesh is facilitating backdoor entry of Chinese textiles into India, according to GSSI. GCCI also suggested introducing measures to counter China, which is selling organic fibres.
