Archive · 2 Oct 2025
India's Copper Industry Voices Concerns Over UAE Trade Pact
Imagine India makes a lot of copper, but now it's getting copper rods from UAE.
These rods are made with little value added from imported materials.
Because of a trade agreement, the import taxes on these rods are going down, so the imports are rising a lot.
Indian copper companies worry this will hurt their business and planned investments.
They believe the trade rules need to be changed to protect their industry, because the UAE doesn't even mine or refine its own copper, they just process it and send to India.
They want the government to revise the rules.
Indian copper producers are worried about rising copper rod imports from the UAE.
Imports from the UAE nearly doubled in FY25 due to phased duty reductions under the CEPA.
The duty on copper rods was reduced in May 2025, with plans to eliminate it in May 2026.
IPCPA fears further import surges once duties are fully removed.
The industry is concerned about the impact on domestic copper refining investments.
- Who
- Indian Primary Copper Producers Association (IPCPA) and domestic copper producers.
- What
- Raising concerns over surging copper rod imports from the UAE under CEPA.
- When
- Imports nearly doubled in FY25, and further increases are anticipated.
- Where
- India and the UAE.
- Why
- To protect domestic copper refining investments from increased competition.
Indian Copper Producers' Viewpoint
UAE's Perspective (Implied)
Impact of CEPA
Indian Copper Producers' Viewpoint
CEPA poses a significant obstacle to domestic copper manufacturing.
UAE's Perspective (Implied)
Implied benefit from increased copper exports to India due to reduced tariffs.
Value Addition
Indian Copper Producers' Viewpoint
UAE adds minimal value to copper rods, using imported materials.
UAE's Perspective (Implied)
Focus on processing and exporting copper rods to leverage trade agreement.
- Agreement
- India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- Affected Product
- Copper rods
- Indian Copper Producers
- Hindustan Copper Ltd, Hindalco Industries, Vedanta Ltd, Kutch Copper Ltd (Adani Group)
- FY25 Copper Rod Imports from UAE
- 86.06 kilotonnes
- FY24 Copper Rod Imports from UAE
- 43.45 kilotonnes
- Duty on Copper Rods (May 2025)
- 1%
- Planned Duty Reduction
- 0% by May 2026