India may impose anti-dumping duty of up to $8.79 per kg on imports of a chemical, mainly used in pharma industry, from China. Imposition of the duty will help in protecting domestic manufacturers of this chemical from cheap Chinese imports.
In its preliminary findings, the Directorate General of Antidumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has concluded that the chemical was exported by firms in China at prices less than their normal values in India and due to which the domestic industry has been materially retarded.
The DGAD “recommends imposition of provisional anti- dumping duty” so as to remove the injury to the domestic industry. The suggested duty ranges between $0.03 per kg to $8.79 per kg on the imports. The DGAD in a notification has stated that imports of the acid increased to 583 tonnes in 2015-16 from 427 tonnes in 2013-14.
O Acid or Ofloxacin Acid is used in production of Ofloxacin, which is used to treat certain infections including bronchitis, pneumonia, and infections of the skin, bladder, urinary tract, reproductive organs, and prostate. It has recently recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty on a certain type of glass from Iran and also Chinese aluminium radiators.
Countries initiate anti-dumping probe to determine if the domestic industry has been hurt by flooding of below-cost import. As a counter-measure, they come up with duties under the multi-lateral WTO regime. Anti-dumping steps are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. They are not a measure to restrict import or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products.
Source: financialexpress.com