ITANAGAR, Jan 7: Expressing deep concern over large-scale atrocities of Hindus continuing in the neighboring nation, the Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industries (ACCI) has stated that it is shocked to find a rising number of foreign brands, particularly Bangladeshi, being marketed in India and having growing impacts on local traders and small businesses.
In this connection, the ACCI has come up with a number of demands, including immediate cease of unchecked inflow of foreign-branded products.
It called for review and regulate market access to foreign brand products into the 12 Himalayan states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal (hills), Assam (hills), Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh; strict monitoring of quality, pricing and statutory compliance of imported products; policy protection and incentives for local traders, MSMEs, and indigenous manufacturers; strong promotion and preference for Indian and local brands; and mandatory consultation with ACCI before granting any trade relaxation.
The brands, like PRAN-RFL Group (food and beverage products), Hatil and Otobi (furniture), Beximco Pharmaceuticals and Rahimafrooz Group products, have gained market access across the country, including North East India, the ACCI said, in a press note.
Stating that it respects lawful international trade and regional cooperation, the ACCI emphasized that unregulated or excessive market penetration of such brands is creating unfair competition for local traders, MSMEs and indigenous entrepreneurs, especially in the sensitive border State of Arunachal Pradesh, and negatively affecting the local economy.
Local traders bear significantly higher costs of transportation and operational costs, making it extremely difficult to compete with low-priced imported goods, reasoned ACCI president Tarh Nachung, adding, this situation directly affects local employment, traditional trades and undermines the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local.
Underscoring the strategic and economic sensitivity of this Himalayan State, the ACCI exhorted policymakers to adopt a region-specific approach while framing trade and market-access policy. However, Nachung warned that unchecked inflow of foreign-branded products could weaken the fragile economic ecosystem of the Northeastern region.
Moreover, there are a few distributors of the aforesaid brands in the State, who should forthwith surrender their licenses and the retailers should either sell or dispose of their stock of these brands within a week’s time.
The ACCI team would conduct surprise checks in markets across the State soon and if any retailer or wholesaler is found with the stock they would face action, including recommendation for cancellation of licenses for adopting anti-consumer strategies, he warned.
This ACCI constructive and non-confrontational protest aims at ensuring fair trade practices and sustainable local economic growth without opposing international trade, he reasoned.
Moreover, the ACCI reaffirmed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the state and central governments and authorities concerned to arrive at “balanced” solutions to protect local interests while supporting national economic objectives.