KL probes PVC dumping by rivals

KL probes PVC dumping by rivals

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia has launched a probe into allegations that Thailand, South Korea and Singapore were dumping polymer-vinyl chloride (PVC) floor coverings at below-market prices here, officials said yesterday.

The international trade and industry ministry (MITI) received a petition from an unidentified firm alleging that local manufacturers of the product were losing out to such cheap imports from the three countries.

"We are now investigating the complaint before taking further action," a trade official said.

According to the petition, the PVC floor coverings were being sold in Malaysia at a price much lower than that at which they are sold in the exporting countries.

MITI said in a statement the petitioner had also stated and provided evidence that the imports from the three countries increased significantly in terms of absolute quantity and market share.

The firm reported to MITI it was unable to increase the price of its products although the cost to make and sell them had risen substantially.

According to the Countervailing and Anti-dumping Duties Act and its related regulations that came into force April 28, last year, a preliminary determination will be made within 90 days after the probe is initiated on whether there is enough ground for the publication of a dumping duty notice for the product.

The government may impose an anti-dumping duty at a level that would eliminate dumping if there are sufficient grounds for its imposition, MITI said.