India’s Clothing Manufacturers Association (CMAI) has requested that the government place a temporary duty on imports of all apparel and ready-made garments.
Local manufacturers are already facing huge business challenges due to COVID-19.
The CMAI wants a duty placed on imports from nations with which India has free-trade agreements, especially Bangladesh.
In addition, they are pointing to Chinese fabrics that are entering India through the back door.
Small, medium and micro companies (MSME) are the most vulnerable to competition from cheaper imports.
However the government has said that it would be difficult to reneg on these trade agreements.
