ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: The National Tariff Commission (NTC) has started anti-dumping investigation into alleged dumping of Phthalic Anhydride (PA) into Pakistan by exporters from India.
The investigation has been initiated in response to an application filed by Nimir Chemicals Pakistan Limited a domestic producer of PA. This would be the first ever antidumping investigation against Indian exporters.
Under the notice of initiation, the NTC has asked the interested parties to apply for registration within 10 days after the publication of the notice.
As per the procedures laid down in the Ordinance and Anti-Dumping Duties Rules, 2001, the NTC, for the purposes of gathering information, would send questionnaires to the known exporters, foreign producers and importers of the product asking them to submit their views within 37 days.
According to the notice, PA, classified under Pakistan Customs Tariff Code 2917.3500, was allegedly being exported to Pakistan at dumped prices (prices less than the normal value of the product, i.e., the price at which PA was sold in India in the ordinary course of trade) by different exporters and producers from India and that such alleged dumping has allegedly caused injury to the domestic industry.
PA is an industrial raw material and is used by a number of industries in the chemical sector. It is mainly used in production of plasticizers, alkyd resins, polyester resins, dyes and pigments, etc.
Under the ordinance, the NTC could not make a preliminary determination sooner than 60 days from the date of initiation of investigation. If an affirmative preliminary determination of dumping and injury is made, then a provisional antidumping duty (equal to the amount of dumping margin) may be applied for a period of 4 months.
This is the 8th investigation initiated by the NTC under the Ordinance. The NTC has imposed definitive antidumping duties on Tinplate imported from South Africa, Sorbitol 70 per cent solution imported from France and Indonesia, and Glacial Acetic Acid imported from Taiwan, Acrylic Tow imported from Uzbekistan and PVC Resin (suspension grade) imported from Korea and Iran. A provisional antidumping duty has also been imposed on import of Urea Formaldehyde Moulding Compound from China.
The seventh investigation against alleged dumped imports of polyester filament yarn was at an advanced stage according to the schedule of investigation given in the respective notice of initiation.
