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Import duty hike - ASMA had urged the government to reduce import duty on primary aluminium to 2.5%, remove duty on scrap, increase duty on downstream products to 20% from 7.5% and remove aluminum from all FTAs to protect the domestic industry from cheap imports KOLKATA: Aluminium Association of India has appealed to the government to increase import duties on aluminium products to curb imports in the interest for both primary and downstream players.
In a letter to the principal secretary to the PM, the AAI said its communication was in response to what it termed as a “misleading and short-sighted advertorial campaign by (Aluminium Secondary Manufacturers Association -ASMA) against the Primary Indian Aluminium Industry.” ASMA had urged the government to reduce import duty on primary aluminium to 2.5%, remove duty on scrap, increase duty on downstream products to 20% from 7.5% and remove aluminium from all FTAs to protect the domestic industry from cheap imports.
In its letter, AAI contested the allegations levelled against it and the domestic aluminium industry with a point-by-point response. “In FY2019, aluminium imports touched nearly 2.3 million tonne, the highest ever, resulting in a forex outgo of $5.5 billion (Rs 38,000 crore). This was nearly 1.1% of the country’s total import bill, which constituted 58% scrap imports,” the statement said. Aluminium imports have witnessed a huge surge in recent years primarily from China, ASEAN countries and the Middle East having surplus aluminium capacity. These countries support their local aluminium industry and provide concessions/ subsidies with low interest rate loans, cheaper power tariffs, preferential gas allocation, raw materials availability, tax benefits & export tax incentives, it added.
AAI, which claimed to be “the legitimate voice of the industry” comprising primary producers, downstream manufacturers, equipment & product manufacturers and end-users with over 160 members, said while “global aluminium demand is being driven by India and China, Indian aluminium production is in line with country’s demand and capacity utilization in FY-19 was 89% with the production of 3695 kt.” Since FY11, domestic aluminium consumption has increased by 80% from 2207 kt to 3972 kt, while total aluminium imports have increased by 164% from 878 kt to 2318 kt. Imports of aluminium scrap on which India is 100% import-dependent have increased by 187% from 470 kt to 1349 kt, AAI said.
“Currently 60% of the country’s aluminium demand is being met through imports,” AAI said adding, India has become a dumping ground of aluminium & scrap due to the global trade war as the US imposed a 10% import duty on aluminium and China imposed 25% duty on US scrap resulting diversion of global scrap supply chain towards India,” AAI said.
Source: Economictimes
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