The downstream producers of non-ferrous metals like copper and copper alloy sheets, plates, strips, pipes, tubers, wires, rods, bars etc., are in a fix following the governments policy to impose import duty on raw materials as well as on the finished (downstream) products at par.
Industry sources say that this import duty has created a very critical situation for the non-ferrous metal downstream producers who are unable to compete with the international producers for the same products. Sharad Parikh, president of the Bombay Metal Exchange said that this has not only hampered the progress and growth of non-ferrous metals semis producers in India but has also led to sickness and closure of many indigenous manufacturers and layoff to the labour and employees.
In a memorandum to the finance minister recently, Parikh stated that to compete with international manufacturers, we need fair level playing ground by means of lower import duty on raw materials vis-
