Tire-makers in India urge government to double import duty

Claim move is crucial to creating a level playing field in the domestic industry

Tyre producers in India have urged the government to double the import duty to 20% in the upcoming union budget, reports the Press Trust of India (PTI). Manufacturers say the move is crucial to creating a level playing field in the domestic industry as tyres can be imported at concessional duties while natural rubber cannot be. "For successful implementation of Make in India campaign and to promote domestic manufacturing, it is important that import of finished products attract duties at least as much, if not more, than what is levied on raw materials," said Raghupati Singhania, chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA) in his pre-budget submission.