Govt slaps duty on steel

Govt slaps duty on steel

JAKARTA (JP): The government has slapped anti-dumping duties
of up to 62 percent on I-shaped and H-shaped steel pieces from
Russia and Poland, according to a decree of the finance minister.

The decree, issued by Finance Minister Bambang Subianto on
Jan. 18, says products from Russian steel manufacturers including
Niznhy Tagil Iron & Steel Works are subject to 62 percent import
duties.

The government is imposing a 19 percent import duty on the
steel products of Polish companies like Huta Katowice.

The duties are effective until "final determination", the
decree says.

The import duty was proposed by PT Gunung Garuda, producers of
both I- and H-shaped steel products, which charged that Polish
and Russian companies sold their products in Indonesia at much
lower prices, threatening local business. (das)