28.09.21 Daily [Andhra Pradesh] APPSC Current Affairs

In a setback to the strugglinggraniteindustry inAndhra Pradesh, China has stopped the precious stoneimportsfrom India. RisingCovid-19cases and stock pile-up in the last one year reported to have prompted China to impose temporary ban on granite imports.
The decision has badly hit the in Prakasam district which is heavily dependent on exports to China.

According to industry sources, granite factories in Chimakurthy region of Prakasam district used to export nearly 40,000 to 45,000 cubic meters of stone per month. Local traders were shipping the stocks fromKrishnapatnamand Chennai Ports. Cancellation of import orders by Chinese clients has left the local industry shocked.
In fact, granite industry has been struggling since the outbreak of Covid-19 last year as units became unable to generate stocks in sufficient quantities after a large number of migrant workers left for their native places.