India set to extend 20% safeguard duty on China soda ash

08 October 2009 16:54  [Source: ICIS news]

NEW DELHI (ICIS news)--India is considering extending the existing 20% provisional safeguard duty on imports of soda ash from China into a one-year tariff, a government official said on Thursday.

The country’s Directorate General of Safeguards has recommended the imposition of a 20% safeguard duty for one year, with retroactive effect from 20 April 2009, the date when the provisional safeguard duty was levied.

The provisional safeguard duty is valid until 5 November, the official added.

In its final findings from the safeguard probe, which was completed on 6 October, the directorate general said the 20% levy “is considered to be the minimum required to protect the domestic industry from market disruption”.

The directorate general contended that the provisional safeguard duty had neither led to a cessation of imports, nor did it make the operations of soda ash consumers unviable.

“The provisional safeguards duty might have, at the maximum, neutralised part of the gains acquired by some through increased imports,” it said.

The directorate general initiated the safeguard investigation on 16 January following a petition from the Alkali Manufacturers Association of India on behalf of the country’s domestic soda ash producers.

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By: Naresh Minocha
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