SATMAI concerned over under-invoiced import of self adhesive tapes

Mumbai, Jan 3 (UNI) Self Adhesive Tape Manufacturers' Association of India (SATMAI) has urged the Union and state governments to prevent under-invoiced import of finished product by unscrupulous importers.

The self adhesive tape industry is being threatened by under-valued import and wrong declaration of import in connivance with Chinese shippers, SATMAI vice president Rajan Desai alleged while addressing a press conference here today.

''The Indian manufacturers are facing difficulty in selling their produce due to the prevalent abnormally-low prices in the local market owing to under-invoiced imports,'' he said.

About three years back, few Indian importers started importing small consignments of such tapes from China at half the actual price. But, as the quantity was small, it did not have much impact, Mr Desai said.

However, now, the quantity of imports has increased considerably and, besides, the tapes are being imported at a mere 10 to 20 per cent of the actual price, he said. The tapes are imported in ''jumbo rolls'' and sold to small converters who cut it into required sizes and sell them in the market.

Mr Desai informed that there are around 200 manufacturers of self adhesive tapes in India under the small and medium scale categories.

This apart, there are around 250 units, known as converters, which are engaged in cutting ''jumbo rolls'' into appropriate sizes for sale in the market. The worldwide market for self adhesive tape is estimated at around Rs 85,000 crore, out of which, India's share is Rs 360 crore with further growth potential, Mr Desai informed.

UNI