RI probes dumping allegations against four import products

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Antidumping Committee (KADI) is currently conducting an investigation into four imported products allegedly being sold here through dumping practices, according to a top official of the committee.

KADI director Bachrul Chairi said on Friday the four imported products included steel pipes from Japan, China, and South Korea; phythalic anhydride (raw material for plastic manufacturing) from Japan, South Korea and India; hot rolled coil/plates from India, Russia and China; and calcium carbide from China and Malaysia.

He said that the investigation could take one year, and if the dumping allegations could be proven, the government would impose a high antidumping duty on the products.

He said that the investigative measures were taken following complaints from local manufacturers affected by the cheaper imported products.

"We're now investigating whether these products have caused serious injury to local manufacturers," he told The Jakarta Post.

Since 1996, the committee has handled some 23 dumping cases against several imported products to help protect local producers.

Data from KADI showed that nine alleged dumping cases had been closed as the committee could not find strong evidence to support the allegations.

Indonesia is also facing dumping allegations from the above mentioned countries and others as well.

Minister of Trade and Industry Rini M. S. Soewandi earlier said that dumping allegations against Indonesian export products had seriously affected the country's exports, causing a loss of billions of dollars in potential revenue.

The ministry data shows that there have been some 99 dumping cases launched against Indonesia since 1996.

Dumping allegations were mostly initiated by the United States, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, India, the Philippines, Canada and South Africa.

The antidumping investigations are being targeted on paper, textiles and clothing, steel, float glass, food, plastic and rubber products.