Surat weavers breathe easy as anti-dumping duty on nylon yarn delayed

Surat's powerloom industry received a reprieve as the government delayed a decision on imposing anti-dumping duties on imported nylon yarn. This follows a meeting chaired by Union textile minister Giriraj Singh, where weavers strongly opposed the move.

Nylon spinners had petitioned for the duty, citing losses due to cheap imports. However, weavers argued that domestic production is increasing and that imposing duties would harm their businesses. They highlighted the dependence on imported yarn to meet the demands of high-speed machines and the potential for widespread job losses if imports were restricted.

Industry leaders emphasized that Surat's textile industry relies heavily on imported nylon yarn, consuming 8,000-10,000 tonnes monthly. A ban could lead to machine shutdowns and massive unemployment. They also refuted claims that imported yarn caused financial distress to other companies, stating that multiple factors contribute to such situations.

The government's decision to delay the duty offers temporary relief to weavers. This move is crucial for sustaining Surat's MMF textile hub and maintaining the industry's growth.