The Tiruppur Exporters' Association (TEA) has requested the Union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal to help for clearance of imported consignments arrived from China, as any delay will cause more ramifications on the already affected Tiruppur knitwear garment export sector. TEA has made similar representations to finance and textiles ministries.

"Goods arrived from China has not been cleared by the customs even after making payment in certain cases for the past 10 days," TEA president Raja M Shanmugham said in a press release.

Shanmugham thanked the minister for taking proactive measures to overcome the obstacles caused due to COVID-19 pandemic and thereby helping the revival of textile industry soon. "We are grateful for permitting exports of knitted / woven cloth masks and PPE medical coveralls, which will be helpful for the textile industry to grow its exports and also confidently venture in to manufacturing of new technical textile products and penetrate global market. The latent strength of the industry has been proved."

TEA president said garment exports is facing a severe competition in the global market from countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia etc, apart from China. Further, foreign buyers are always very keen to get quality product at competitive prices coupled with delivery schedule. In such a situation, "any delay in making sea shipment at right time will automatically push the exporters to resort for air shipment, as otherwise the buyers won’t place any future orders and categorise the units as an unreliable supplier," Shanmugham said in the letter.

The knitwear garment export sector has been facing a host of issues further to spread of COVID-19 Pandemic globally and the crippled industry in Tiruppur is now able to run at only 40-50 per cent of its capacity and struggling to sustain in the business and also to meet the statutory financial requirements.

Given this background, the "non-clearance of imported consignments arrived from China for the past 10 days, even after making payment in certain cases is like adding salt to the wound and also incurring demurrage charges. The concern is that this news has given doubtfulness to the buyers on the possibility of exporting of goods as per delivery schedule. While contacting the Customs authorities, we came to know that they could proceed for clearance of stranded consignment only after getting approval from the Central Government," the letter added.

Considering the gravity of the situation, Shanmugham requested the minister to help for immediate clearance of the consignments arrived from China, and for exporting of garments without much delay and thereby lifting the sagging morale of exporters and sustain in the business.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)

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