Latest news with #PotluriBhaskarRao
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
AP Chambers seeks curbs on raw human hair exports to China
The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) sought Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's intervention for stopping the export of raw human hair, especially non-remy (comb waste/ Goli/Chutti) hair, to mainly China, and some other countries in order to safeguard the domestic human hair industry. In a representation to the Chief Minister on July 11, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskar Rao stated that the demand for non - remy hair had gone up exponentially in the last two decades. The Chinese were buying huge quantities till 2012-13 from Indian exporters but in the last 10 years, they started reducing legal imports by smuggling non-remy (comb waste hair) through Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where it is processed with child labour and again smuggled to China to avoid duties. Despite an earlier ban imposed in March 2022 by the Director General of Foreign Trade, exports continued, including by the previously blacklisted traders. Non-remy hair forms 85% of total exports and only 15% of hair is remy hair, which is sourced from temples and sold in auction/direct sales by them. Mr. Bhaskar Rao pointed out that the Indian human hair extension and wig industry, currently valued at approximately ₹8,000 crore, has the potential to grow to ₹30,000 crore over the next decade. The industry, which has a major presence in Eluru and Madepalli in Eluru district, provides employment to over 10 lakh women. Following are the suggestions made by the AP Chambers: to strictly prohibit the export of raw human hair (having ITC (HS) Code 05010010) to make it available for Indian hair processors for value-addition, not to let remy type hair from temples sold to China or Chinese agents, restrict temple hair auctions to registered manufacturers / exporters and not to illegal traders. Also, the AP Chambers stated that a dedicated research chair for human hair be set up at IIT Chennai to foster R&D, duties on human hair imported by countries with which India has bilateral agreements should be reduced, and incentives/subsidies must be given to those exporting hair to African countries as they are biggest consumers of hair and wigs as the move would help boost the hair exports to those countries. The hair industry is a unique one that transforms waste into valuable foreign exchange while empowering lakhs of women through rural employment, Mr. Rao said, adding that the CM should take up the matter with the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry to ensure the sustainability and growth of the human hair industry in Andhra Padesh.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
A.P. Chambers urges Indonesia to ensure tariff parity for Indian corn starch
Ni Made Mahatma Devi, Third Secretary (Economic) at the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi, met with the office-bearers of the Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry Federation (AP Chambers) at their office on Thursday to explore avenues for strengthening trade ties between Indonesia and Andhra Pradesh. During the meeting, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskar Rao and general secretary B. Raja Sekhar raised key trade concerns affecting Indian exporters. They pointed out that corn starch of Indian origin attracts a 10% import duty in Indonesia, whereas Chinese corn starch enjoys preferential tariff treatment. This, they noted, is despite Indonesia being a major importer of the commodity from both countries. The Indian product's exclusion from the ASEAN–India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) preferential tariff list puts Indian exporters at a disadvantage. They urged the Indonesian Embassy to support the inclusion of corn starch under the AIFTA preferential tariff schedule to ensure a level playing field. The Chamber also highlighted procedural hurdles related to the Certificate of Origin—an essential export document. While India has adopted a fully digital system, Indonesian trade authorities continue to insist on physical copies with ink signatures, leading to delays. The Chamber requested the Embassy to take up the matter with the relevant authorities in Indonesia. Further, Mr. Bhaskar Rao expressed concern over Indonesia's quota system on chilli imports from India, which, he said, restricts trade. In contrast, there are no such limits on imports from China. He called for the removal of this quota system to facilitate fairer trade practices.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
AP govt urged to repeal Agricultural Land Act, 2006
1 2 Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) urged state govt to immediately repeal the AP Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non Agricultural Purpose ) Act 2006, stating that it will be immensely beneficial to entrepreneurs looking to set up new businesses in the state. This March, the State had announced that the Act will be abolished soon. In a letter addressed to chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, Chambers president Potluri Bhaskar Rao thanked govt for announcing the Act would be abolished soon. "It has been a long-pending demand of the citizens and business enterprises to abolish the Act," Bhaskar Rao
