CLE seeks relief for leather sector
The Indian Council for Leather Exports (CLE) has asked the government to reduce import duty on basic chromium sulphate from 28% to 5% as well as reducing the import duty on sodium di-chromate by the same amount and imposing export duty on chrome ore.
According to the council, this will help tanners overcome the high price of tanning salt, which risen sharply in price over the last two months.
The CLE also expressed an urgent need for greater availability of raw materials, which it believes can be achieved by establishing bonded warehouses to import, store and distribute the raw- and semi-processed hides and skins in the country.
It points out that the low shelf life of raw hides and skins and semi-processed leathers means that the export of these unsold materials should be allowed without export duty on bonded warehouses for leather. The CLE also asks the government to consider allowing the re-export of unsold materials without export duty.
