Contain Chinese Imports to Save MSMEs

A delegation of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers’ Association (UCPMA) met Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh to discuss issues pertaining to the growth of MSME sector.

During the meeting with the Union Minister, President of UCPMA Inderjit Singh Navyug expressed concerns over the adverse of Chinese import on the local industry. He said the local units will have to shut if China was allowed to set up factories in India.

He said, “Already items like spokes, chain-wheel and crank, steel balls, basket, brake cable, pedal axle and high-end cycles, etc are being imported from China. In addition to this, a huge quantity of complete kits of bicycles and mountain bikes are also being imported.”

The office bearers of the UCPMA on behalf of the 2,400 units strongly opposed the setting up of Chinese units in India. They said that the small and medium enterprises based in the region should be saved, especially the bicycle industry.

Pardeep Wadhawan, Senior Vice President, said that government should provide cheap raw material, like steel and plastic. He said the raw material available locally was cheaper, but the cartel in India had made it costlier. The government should provide subsidy on machinery and import duty should be reduced to promote local manufacturing, he demanded.

The aim of the government should be to import technology for items like alloy frame, carbon fiber, derailleur sets and disc brakes among other items made of alloy, which are not available in India.

Members of the delegation were of the view that Chinese imports should be restrained to protect the Indian industry from near collapse. They said such a step was vital to strengthen industries based in the city and realise the ‘Make in India’ dream.