IPAMA seeks ban on import of old machines.

AMRITSAR: Industry body Indian Printing Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers' Association on Monday said it wants the government to impose a ban on import of old machines saying domestic firms are facing stiff challenges from such cheap low quality imports.

Stating that the biggest challenge is from China, from where low quality machines are being exported, the Indian Printing Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers' Association (IPAMA) said anti-dumping duty must be imposed on import of machinery from the country.

"The government is not putting restriction on import of second hand printing or packaging machines. We want a ban on import of those machines, which are up to 10 years old," IPAMA General Secretary C P Paul told PTI.

Those machines are coming to India without being valued, in the form of scraps, he said, adding, the government is not getting any revenue.

"The local manufacturers are bearing losses," he said, adding, despite several representations to the government, nothing has worked out so far.

On the imports of machinery from China, Paul said: "We have a threat from China, which is now pushing cheap machines. We want some counterveiling measures as imposition of anti-dumping duty. The association has already approached the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and other concerned authorities and made representations".

According to IPAMA, India is one of the fastest growing market for printing and packaging industry and is forecast to grow by USD 20.9 billion in an year's time and be in the top ten markets of the world.

To expand its footprints, it is exploring markets in Africa and CIS countries. It will also co-host the Print Pack Arabia 2014, scheduled to be held at Sharjah, UAE from April 2014 in collaboration with Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com