30th December, 2025

Dear Friends,

As we come to the close of 2025, I extend my warm greetings to the entire EICMA Members and take this moment to reflect with pride on the collective achievements of the past year.

Despite challenging market conditions, 2025 has been a year of resilience and progress for our industry. Eastern India’s corrugation sector has continued to support core industries such as FMCG, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and e-commerce with reliability and innovation. Capacity expansion, improved quality standards, sustainable packaging initiatives, and strong collaboration among stakeholders have reinforced our industry’s vital role in India’s supply chain.

At the same time, we cannot overlook the tough period we are currently facing due to the inverted duty structure under GST. The persistent disparity between GST on paper and corrugated boxes has placed considerable financial strain on manufacturers, impacting working capital and overall competitiveness. This imbalance remains one of the most critical challenges confronting our industry today.

I am encouraged, however, by the tireless and united efforts of our industry bodies, associations, and leaders who are actively engaging with policymakers to seek a fair and practical resolution to this GST anomaly. Our collective voice, backed by data and determination, continues to work towards correcting this disparity in the interest of sustainable growth.

As we step into 2026, let us remain optimistic and united. The New Year holds promise for stronger advocacy, technological advancement, greater efficiency, and renewed growth. With continued cooperation and a shared vision, I am confident that our industry will emerge stronger and more competitive.

On behalf of the fraternity, I convey my best wishes for a successful, prosperous, and peaceful New Year 2026 to all members of the Eastern India and their families. May the coming year bring stability, fair policy reforms, and new opportunities for all.

Warm Regards and Best Wishes,
Happy New Year 2026
Pradip Agarwal
President, EICMA