Timber industry presses for Timber Policy in India

Wood is Good, Grow more, Use more magazine released

Bengaluru, July 18: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Bangalore Branch Office, and Institute of Wood Sciences and Technology jointly organised an Industry Meet on Discussion on Recent QCOs on Plywood, Panel and Furniture Industry, in Conference hall – ICFRE- IWST, Bengaluru on July 15th.

The conference was attended by almost 70 manufacturers, importers, industry associations, educationalists, journalists and consumers.

Dr. M P Singh, Director, IWST, in his inaugural speech talked about the collaborative approaches of BIS and DPIIT. He also wished for industrial prosperity. The magazine titled ‘Wood is Good, Grow more, Use more’ was released on this platform regarding the Timber Production Scenario and Need for Timber Policy in India.

Jaydeep Chitlangia, General Secretary, federation of Indian plywood & panel industry, highlighted on the Evolutionary Stage in the industry. He also focused on the actions to be taken on QCOs, concessions given to the MSME manufacturers in the QCOs and urged for awareness programmes on QCOs. He told that out of 3500 manufacturers only 800 manufactures of this industry have the Licence and yet 2700 are upcoming.

Rajesh Mittal, Chairman, Furniture & Fittings Skill Council, explained about the poor quality of imports in the industry sector and appealed for the following of QCOs for better quality imports. Mohammed Ishrar Ali, Director, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade accepted that BIS promptly understands issues with manufacturers and thus has done an extension in the time period of implementation of the QCO.

Narender Reddy B. Scientist E and Director, BIS, Bangalore apprised the participants about the listening process by BIS and steps taken by BIS in educating industries about QCOs. He also mentioned that Indian Standards are dynamic in nature and suggestions are always welcome.

Amit Barot, Honorary Secretary, Association of Furniture Manufacturers and Traders, quoted that India should be the manufacturer and exporter of all products, not the importers of foreign goods.

The open-house discussion gathered many inputs from the stakeholders, manufacturers and industrialists including the Balancing of Quality and Economics through the Recent QCOs. It was also discussed that Plantations within 24 months will cover the economical cost surge incurred due to the increase in production costs due to implementation of Recent QCOS.

Finally, it was concluded that the main aim of the QCOs is supporting the manufacturing in the industry and BIS welcomes all ideas and inputs from all manufacturers to build a strong quality ecosystem in the country.

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