Exporters in Tirupur want additional specialty fabrics to be included under customs duty free import. Most specialty fabrics are synthetic. Among specialty fabrics are nylon, burlap, oil cloth, anti-tarnish silver cloth, silver polishing cloth, huck toweling, cheese cloth, heat resistant fabrics, mosquito netting, crib liners, cotton voile, organic cotton fabrics and organic bamboo fabrics.

These fabrics are used for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. The end-uses for these fabrics include pool covers, hydraulic covers, aprons, golf bags and golf wear, cold weather garments, dust covers.

As the potential to increase readymade garment exports depended on the export of synthetic garments which have a market throughout the year globally, exporters say the additional inclusion of more specialty fabrics will be helpful in enhancing their growth and competitiveness and help them employ additional workers.

Already imports of specified fabrics (for manufacture of textile garments having an export value equivalent to one per cent of FOB value of exports in the preceding financial year) have been exempted from payment of basic customs duty. The industry wants some 20 items widely used by Tirupur knitwear garment exporters for manufacturing exportable value added garments to be included for exemption.