Morbi beats global slowdown to clock highest-ever ceramic export

Rajkot: In spite of the worldwide recession, ceramic export in Morbi broke all records during July. Though the official figures of export are awaited, the certificate of origin issued by Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) claims that Morbi’s exports figures in July doubled in comparison to the previous year.
According to industrial players, higher export is attributed to the current anti-China sentiments world over, as well as the low production in Italy and Spain due to the pandemic lockdown.
According to RCCI, 80 certificates of origins were issued this July compared to 41 in July 2019. In June 2020, the industrial body issued 40 certificates of origins to ceramic tiles makers of Morbi.
President of Morbi Ceramic Association, Nilesh Jetparia said, “We are neck and neck with China and competitive in prices too. We are benefiting from anti-China sentiments in the US and European countries. The other reason is drastic fall in in Covid-hit Italy and Spain, the major competitors of Indian tiles.”
Industrialists get 40 to 45 certificates of origin issued from RCCI every month, which means that the amount of export is nearly Rs 1,000 to 1,200 crore. But in July, they could export goods worth nearly Rs 1,800 to 2,000 crore.
Certificate of origin is a document that proves that the product is originally manufactured in the exporting country. This certificate is must in export documents and there are certain trade and industrial bodies which are authorised to issue this certificate.
Morbi, worst-hit by migrant labourers’ exodus in May, is working hard to cope up with the market demands. However, because of the industry’s efforts nearly 80 percent of the workforce has returned.
VeljiPatel, a ceramic manufacturer said, “Many industrialists also made arrangements including sending buses and paying for train tickets and reimbursing fare of private vehicles, to bring back their labourers.”