With India intensifying an economic blockade “unofficially”, aimed at hurting Chinese businesses, consignments containing millions of zippers, buttons and embroidery accessories are not being cleared by the customs. Raja M Shanmugham, President, Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA), reveals payments for these goods have already been made and they are lying in Bengaluru and Chenani airport customs, besides at Chennai Port. His firm, Warsaw International is waiting for Bengaluru Airport customs to clear buttons and badges for him to complete his pending orders. TEA has shot off letters to union ministers of commerce and industry and also union finance minister seeking their immediate intervention.

Similarly, the consignment of Kanta Innovations is not being cleared in Chennai.. His 25 clients are waiting for these buttons to finish their orders. It is impacting not just knitwear but also the manufacture of PPE kits.