PH steel industry seeks safeguards vs imports

LOCAL producers of galvanized iron and prepainted sheets and coils are seeking safeguards against importation of similar products, which are said to be causing “serious injury” to the domestic industry.

The World Trade Organization (WTO), on its website, said its Committee on Safeguards was notified last week by the Philippines of its move to conduct a safeguard investigation on these products.

The said investigation was started on Sept. 27.

“The investigation was initiated following an evaluation of the petition filed by the domestic industry, represented by Puyat Steel Corp.,” the WTO said in a notice on its website.

“The documents submitted by the petitioner showed that increased imports have caused serious injury to the domestic industry as indicated in their decliningmarket share, production, sales, capacity utilization, productivity, profitability, price suppression and undercutting,” it said.

Products that were subject to the investigation were galvanized iron sheets and coils classified under AHTN (Asean Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature) Codes 7210.4110, 7210.4190, 7210.4990, 7210.6910, 7210.6990, 7212.3019, 7212.3093 and 7212.3099.

Also included were prepainted Galvanized Iron (PPGI) sheets and coils.

According to theWTO, a safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing or is threatening to cause serious injury to a domestic industry.

During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties.

A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury, it further said.