Paper industry seeks import restrictions to thwart China, Asean threat

Between 2010-11 and 2017-18, import of paper and paperboard had a compound annual growth rate of nearly 19.5%

The paper manufacturing industry wants action by the central government to restrict import.

During 2017-18, import of paper and paperboard from the Asean bloc, China and South Korea rose 32.6 per cent, 56.4 per cent and 57.2 per cent, respectively, over FY17. In volume terms, import from China was 510,000 tonnes; from Asean and South Korea, 330,000 and 150,000 tonnes, respectively.

Saurabh Bangur, president, Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (Ipma), says India is the fastest growing market (seven to eight per cent a year) for