SATISH HANDA

The office bearers of all three scientific goods manufacturing associations at Science City Ambala Kailash Dhir President of Scientific Appliances Manufacturing Association (SAMA), Umesh Gupta President Scientific Apparatus & Export Manufacturing Association (SAEM) and Gaurav Saini Secretary Ambala Scientific Instrument Manufacturers Association (ASIMA) said, in case government takes decision to impose ban over imports from China they are prepared to boycott products manufactured in China completely in spite of the fact they are dependent on raw material as well as low price finished goods imports from China in view of India-China conflict at the border. They said, scientific goods industry at Ambala is competent enough to compete instruments manufactured in China as well as in other countries in quality as well price with government support and local manufacturers want to teach China lessen as well as financial harm and look for alternate suppliers of finished goods as well as basic raw material required by industry at Ambala from sources other than China.

There are nearly 1500 micro and small manufacturers of scientific instruments at Ambala, besides large number of units manufacturing glassware used in laboratories and educational institutes in the town doing annual business worth Rs 2000 crore in domestic as well as export markets. According to entrepreneurs of Ambala scientific industry, they are prepared to say good-by to Chinese products if desired by the government, may stop procurements from manufacturers in China, follow Prime Minister’s slogan ‘Local is Vocal’ and ready to have complete ban over imports from China.. Kailash Dhir said, no doubt manufacturers of Ambala scientific industry manufacturers are dependent on imports from China for basic raw material as well as finished goods available at cheaper prices, but there is nothing important than country and they are prepared to take decisions according to government. He said, in case imports from China are banned there are sources to get supplies from other countries with the government support.

Gaurav Saini, too, assured that his association members has expressed to follow and support   decisions by the government. He said bi-cot products manufactured in China is need of hour although scientific industry is dependent on raw material imported from China According to Umesh Gupta, entrepreneurs of Ambala scientific instruments industry are in a position to meet any challenge and achieve targets with support by the government suggesting to reduce undesired government formalities to set up new industry in the area and extend full cooperation to entrepreneurs.