In his 14 years as Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, now the Prime Minister of the country, tried to hard-sell Gujarat to the world investors thereby attracting them to invest in the State. Ironically, now in his home state, the demand for swadeshi is growing louder with prominent trade body - Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) resolving to boycott Chinese products.

At a meeting held on Monday, the association resolved, with unanimous support from 55 member associations and regional chambers out of 70-75 such associations in the state to boycott Chinese products.

"These products primarily include articles made at cottage and small industries such as fire crackers, lighting, bulbs, toys, ceramic products, thread for kite flying and balloons besides others. It is a loss for our units," stated a circular from the GCCI, which reasoned the step as a reacting to China's pro-Pakistan stance and hampering India's prospects in Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG).

As per GCCI, China dumps goods such as chemicals and pharma worth ₹ 12,000 crore in Gujarat alone.

But the boycott comes at a time, when Gujarat government delegation is visiting China to invite investors for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit scheduled in January next year.

Notably, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani too came in support of boycott saying, "Our mantra is always swadeshi. I support the resolution made by the Chamber to opt for swadeshi and avoid foreign goods."

The trade body, on the other hand raised demand for proactive policy measures by the government to encourage entrepreneurs to make products that can replace Chinese products.

According to industry sources in the state, the call was necessary considering the interest of the local industry, which was finding it tough to survive amid severe competition with the foreign companies, which were given incentives to manufacture in the State.

Gujarat already has big Chinese corporations such as TBEA Energy, China Steel Corporation, electrical equipment maker TWBB with large investments. While numerous ceramics tiles makers from the state have outsourced manufacturing in China looking for cost benefit.

"The member associations of the Chamber have unanimously decided to boycott the China-made products to encourage made in India products. Also, this will help revive those small and cottage industries, which had closed down due to the dumping by the Chinese products," said Bipin Patel, president, GCCI.

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