The Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry (FIASWI) expressed apprehensions over the decreasing demand of Man-made Fabric (MMF) produced in Surat, Maharashtra and other parts of the country due to increase in import of man-made fabric in 2013-14 from China, Taiwan and South Korea. The federation has demanded for hike in import duty on fabric from 10 per cent to 30 per cent to reduce Chinese fabric imports in the country. In 2013-14, import of fabric from China increased by 79.49 per cent followed by 4.15 per cent and 0.89 per cent from Taiwan and Korea respectively. The total import of fabric from these countries accounted for 84.56 per cent.
