Kolkata, Apr 28: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is now taking its toll on the export performance of petrochemical firms in the country as China has significantly lowered its demand for polymer products. A senior official of Haldia Petrochemicals Limited (HPL) told that lowering of off take from China has badly affected export prospects of the company. He said as a result of this, HPL's sales during April would take a slide.
The official said China is a major international buyer of polymer products. The company's monthly sales comprise almost 20 per cent of exports, of which a significant part was directed to the Chinese market.
Besides SARS, the truckers' strike had also affected sales as internal demand could not be met, the official said.

Bureau Report