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FTAs taxes unfavourable forMake in India

The Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers’ Association ( CEAMA) has said free trade agreements with major electronics goods manufacturing countries like Japan, South Korea and Thailand, costly credit, and lack of raw material and components are hindrances for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India campaign.
The consumer durables industry is grappling with low rural demand and fierce competition. Since 2013, unseasonal rain and low spending on employment have pulled down rural demand. Experts said slow increases in minimum support prices for crops had reduced the real income of rural households. Last month, the CEAMA urged the commerce and industry ministry to revise the tax structure that favoured imports. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reduced the excise duty on electronic components from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent in this year’s budget.
Business Standard, New Delhi, 24th July 2015

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