(a) whether due to the expected roll out of COVID vaccine, the demand of glass industry is rising sharply;
(b) if so, the demand and supply of glass in the country in the recent months;
(c) the total export and import of glass trade by India during the last three months;
(d) whether in the wake of recovery of COVID-19 cases, the mask and face shield demand has come down sharply; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI SOM PARKASH)
(a) & (b): No Sir. As per Industry estimates, the glass industry melts approximately 20,000 tonnes of glass per day. The share of glass for vaccine vials is estimated to be approximately 1%. Thus, the demand for glass for vaccine vials has had minor effect on overall demand for glass.
(c): Total exports and imports of glass and glassware from India in the last three months are at Annexure.
(d) & (e): To fully overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to maintain caution and take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior and ensure wearing of face masks/ face shields. As such, this question does not arise.
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ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1396 FOR ANSWER ON 10.02.2021
Exports and Imports of Glass and Glassware
(Value in US$ million)
Period- September-November, 2020
a. Exports
S. No HS Codes Description September, 2020 October, 2020 November, 2020
1 70 Glass & Glassware 84.98 77.52 68.11
b. Imports
S. No HS Codes Description September, 2020 October, 2020 November, 2020
1 70 Glass & Glassware 75.23 88.65 84.53
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