Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com
NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 2, 2009: The humble incense stick has been declared a handicraft product under the new duty drawback rates. With the manufacturers’ long standing demand being met, a surge in sales is expected.
Agarbathi, as it is called, has been brought under the jurisdiction of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) from CHEMEXCIL. The industry can also now get duty refund on input costs. The agarbathi market in India is estimated at around US$200 million. Exports have risen from 2,056 million tons in 2005-06 to 3,509 million tons in 2007-08.