Need To Develop Raw Material Base For Silk Stressed

It is essential to develop the indigenous raw material base for silk, according to Silk Association of India president S N Jhunjhunwala. This, said Jhunjhunwala at the associations annual general meeting in Calcutta yesterday, required an export-friendly exim policy.

Despite being the second largest producer of silk after China, India has to import silk from China for its own export.

Export of silk goods fell from 265.75 lakh sq m during April-September 1995-96 to 241.94 lakh sq m in the same period in 1996-97.

In terms of value there has been a 0.3 per cent increase.

The current input-output norms for silk have been fixed at 1.2 kg import against 1 kg export, whereas the actual consumption stands at 1.35 kg for raw silk, dupion and reeled tussar.

This figure has been certified by research organisations. The DEEC scheme for export of silk goods must be amended to boost exports, Jhunjhunwala said.

D P Patra, managing director of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) and M Thakur, deputy director of the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT), also addressed the AGM.

West Bengal minister for commerce and industries Bidyut Ganguly could not attend the meet. Anita Agnihotri, the joint director general of foreign trade, eastern region, was also absent.