India mulls curbing fridge imports to aid local makersReuters, NEW DELHIIndia is considering restricting imports of refrigerators to promote local manufacturing, two industry sources said yesterday, potentially freezing out shipments from Samsung Electronics Co and LG Electronics Inc in the US$5 billion market. The move is in line with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” program to boost local manufacturing and discourage imports. That same year it also placed restrictions on television imports, affecting Samsung and other global manufacturers. India imports refrigerators from countries with which it holds a free-trade agreement, including Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea. Local manufacturers that could stand to benefit from import restrictions include Voltas, Godrej Appliances and Havells India Ltd.
