Acute shortage of viscose staple fiber (VSF) and extra-long staple (ELS) cotton has forced Indian textiles and apparel makers to urge for immediate support from the Central government. SRTEPC reports, the industry has been asking for the removal of anti-dumping duty of $ 0.103 to 0. 512 per kg imposed on VSF for the last several years

Ashwin Chandran, Chairman, The Southern Indian Mills’ Association (SIMA), has requested the Prime Minister to withdraw this duty and also the 10 per cent import duty on cotton. Chandran said, both these are high value-added market segments that accounting for around Rs 150,000 crore business and employes over two million people. They fetch GST revenue of Rs. 5,000 crore and forex earnings to the tune of Rs. 75,000 crore apart from catering to the value-added segments.

VSF and superfine cotton value chain supplies to international brands and the price crisis is being utilized as an opportunity by neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Chandran said. He therefore urged the government to withdraw the duties immediately.