Relief for textile sector as Centre removes 11% duty on cotton imports

The government's decision to eliminate the 11% duty on cotton imports with immediate effect has brought much-needed relief to the textile sector, which has been grappling with fear of steep tariff barriers in its largest export market, the US.

- Pushpita Dey @ New Delhi

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), through a notification issued on Monday, announced that imports of raw cotton will be exempted from Customs duty between August 19 and September 30. Removal of import duty has been a long-pending request from industry bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), which had sought relief to shield exporters from global trade headwin