As Chinese furniture exports hit a wall, Indian makers sense an opportunity

Domestic players eager to compete but seek friendlier policy

Across the board, manufacturers of furniture see the shutdown of Chinese exports to the US as an opportunity for scaling up exports.

Earlier this year, before the Covid-19 pandemic led to a shutdown, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said at an event that the nation had vast resources for making good furniture, but was still importing it. If local players could make quality goods, it could also help create more employment, he said.

However, to make that happen, manufacturers say they need changes in labour laws, as well as regimes that aren’t as tax-friendly to foreign players, who are importing furniture into