China may dump products through Nathula: Buddhadeb

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government on Saturday expressed apprehension that China might dump large quantities of its products through the Nathula trade route, posing a threat to the state's traditional industries, especially silk.

"After the opening of Nathula, perhaps they will now want to use the Kolkata port. They will also dump their products on a large-scale in the state. This will be disastrous," Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee told a workshop on schemes and programmes for development of micro and small industries.

Noting that West Bengal's raw silk industry particularly faced a threat from China, where silk production is highly mechanised, Bhattacharjee said his government was setting up a task force to upgrade silk manufacturing technology.

"China is not willing to part with its technology. So I have spoken to Japan. (State government agency) Webcon has also submitted a report on the matter," he said.

Pointing out that China had achieved an economic "miracle" by strengthening its small and medium enterprises, Bhattacharjee said his government was trying to "save" the state's economy and create more job opportunities.

Lauding the Central government for enacting a law to define micro, small and medium industries, Bhattacharjee said the state government has formed a task force to frame specific rules to implement this law.