Import duty hike impact: Domestic firms lag Chinese peers in mass segment

A month since import duties were hiked, Business Standard looks at its impact on the footwear industry

Sitting in a small office filled with footwear samples, S Ahmed and his friends are busy discussing the latest talk in their town – an upcoming opportunity for larger supply, with increasing buyer interest.
 
The effects of the finance minister’s announcement of customs duty increase on imported footwear and components is perceived to be slowly trickling down to the town of Ambur, a leather manufacturing hub almost 190 km from Chennai.
 
Farida Group Chairman Rafeeque Ahmed says, “We expect to see 10-15 per cent more order inflow due to the hike in customs duty.”
 
Israr Mecca, regional