Duty drawback rate cut upsets TEA

The Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA) is dismayed on the reduction of duty drawback rates on apparel items. In this revised list, the government has reduced rates for value added ready-made garments while improving rates for raw materials like cotton, yarn and fabrics. The rates have been lowered from 2 to 1.8 per cent for few and 1.9 per cent for others.

The new list has totally disappointed the knitwear garment sector in Tiruppur when they were expecting hike in the rates, said TEA in a representation made to the prime minister. The revision will not only affect the exports but will also strengthen the business of competing nations.

Highlighting the plight of the apparel industry, TEA has asked the prime minister to initiate a consultative process with all stakeholders in the apparel manufacturing segment and arrive at means to compensate the exporters by increasing the drawback and ROSL rates so as to arrest the further fall in exports.