Malaysia
Launches Safeguard Investigation on Hot Rolled Steel Plate
Malaysia has notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards
that it has initiated a safeguard investigation on hot rolled steel plate.
An application for a safeguard measures was received by
the Authority from Ji Kang Dimensi
Sdn. Bhd. and after examining the application, the
Authority concluded that there was sufficient evidence to justify the
initiation of a safeguard investigation.
1. The date of
initiation
The investigation was initiated on 18 August 2014.
2. The product
subject to the investigation
The products under investigation are hot-rolled steel
plate products of iron or non-alloy steel and other alloy steel, of a width of
600 mm or more, hot rolled, not clad, plated or coated, of a thickness between
6 mm to 75 mm. Hot rolled steel plate products used for electrical and electronic
industry, automotive industry and the boiler and pressure vessel applications
are excluded from the investigation.
The products subject to the investigation are
classified under the Harmonised System Code (H.S. Code) Number 7208.51.000,
7208.52.000, 7225.40.000 and ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN)
7208.51.0000, 7208.52.0000 and 7225.40.9000.
3. The reasons
for the initiation of investigation
The investigation was initiated following an evaluation
of a safeguard petition from the domestic industry.
Based on preliminary assessment of the data submitted
by the Petitioner and all relevant factors showed that the:
a. volume of imports of the product under
investigation has increased significantly by 13% from 257,591 MT in 2011 to
292,238 MT in 2012 and continued to increase by 26% in 2013 to 367,172 MT.
b. domestic industry has suffered serious injury
in terms of market share, sales, production, profitability, cash flow and
productivity.
Trade
Practices Section
Ministry
of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
Level
14, Block 8, Government Offices Complex
Jalan
Duta 50622 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Telephone
Number: (+603) 6200-0111/0123/0113
Facsimile
Number: (+603) 6201 6394
Email Address: alltps@miti.gov.my