Firozabad glass industry hit by Turkiye earthquake, payments worth Rs 15 crore delayed

Firozabad, Feb 21 (KNN) The Firozabad Glass Industry has been severely impacted by the recent earthquakes in Turkey, leading to orders worth over Rs 30 crore being stuck due to a lack of communication, as reported by TOI citing a source.

According to the Firozabad-based exporters, due to no communication taking place with major glassware business firms based in Istanbul and Ankara, payments worth Rs 15 crore have been delayed.

Mukesh Kumar Bansal, Secretary of All India Glass Manufacturers Federation, said, "For decades, Turkiye has been a major market for Firozabad-made glassware. The annual export of glass items to the country is around Rs 100 crore. Turkiye is also a major supplier of high-quality soda ash, which is extensively used in glass manufacturing."

Bansal added that due to the earthquakes, communication with the supply agencies and business firms in Turkey has been impossible, leading to orders worth Rs 30 crore being stuck and payments worth Rs 15 crore being delayed. With the supply chain severely affected, it may take up to six months to normalize business operations, which would cause significant losses.

Firozabad, known as the glass city of India, provides employment to over six lakh people, and the expected turnover of the glass Industry in city is anticipated to be around Rs 10,000 crore.

A senior member of the UP glass manufacturing syndicate, Deepak Gupta, said that glass exporters are confused about whether to continue or stop production based on pending orders from Turkey. They are trying to get in touch with the importers.

Glass items made in Firozabad, including kitchen and toilet ware, figurines, toys, science and laboratory glassware, lighting and home decor items, and a wide range of exquisite objects, remain in high demand across Turkey. Chandeliers are also in high demand, according to exporters.

Two powerful earthquakes, hours apart, occurred on February 6, causing widespread destruction in Turkey. On February 20, another earthquake struck the country.  (KNN Bureau)