Budget 2019: Indian Refractory Makers Association urges government for a complete removal of import duty

Indian Refractory Makers Association has urged the government for a complete removal of import duty on refractory raw material to provide a major fillip to domestic manufacturing of refractory items.

The apex body of the country's estimated Rs 7,000-crore refractory industry made its appeal in a statement issued on the eve of the union budget to be presented by Finance Minsiter Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday.

“India may have catapulted to the second spot in global steel production but there still a need to create a robust ecosystem to ensure that the steel production gets a further boost. Refractory industry, a key constituent in steel production, demands a complete abolition of import duty on refractory raw material so that the domestic production of refractory items get a boost," Samir Nagpal, Head, Advocacy, Indian Refractory Makers Association said.


The proposed move will be in sync with the Government’s Make in India plans and also help create a large number of jobs to the skilled and semi-skilled workforce, the statement added.