The ICC had approached the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), the Commerce Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry seeking resolution of the matter.

\"India’s consumption of toluene is 3 lakh tonnes per annum. But the country produces only 1.6 lakh tonnes of toluene and therefore the remaining 1.4 tonnes have to be imported every year. India’s consumption of toluene is expected to go up to about 4.75 lakh tonnes per year in 2014-15 and since there are no major expansion plans announced so far, India would depend on toluene imports,\" the ICC had contended.

Exporters of toluene from Italy require export licence appended therewith corresponding import licence from Indian authorities.

\"As per our policy, export-import of toluene is free and licence or permission is not required. The issue may be resolved being of non-tariff barrier type and it may be taken up with Italian authorities in appropriate bilateral form,\" the DCPC had informed the Commerce Ministry.

Now the ICC has again approached the DCPC saying that in spite of it taking up the issue with appropriate authorities several times, the matter is yet to be solved.

\"This issue still remains unresolved. Affected industry continues to face the difficulties in importing toluene from Italy,\" it said.