SAUDI
Arabia and India have decided to set up a Joint Technical Working Group
(JTWG) to iron out issues arising from slew of anti-dumping duties
levied by the latter country on chemicals imports from the former
country.
According
to an official source, this decision was taken at the 10th meeting of
India Saudi Joint Commission held in New Delhi on 14th January 2015.
The
Saudi side requested Indian officials at the meeting to re-consider its
decision on recent increase in customs duties on chemicals and
petrochemicals. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) appreciated the
outcome of the discussions on anti-dumping cases in November 2013 and
requested that the pending cases may be cleared soon in the spirit of
friendly relations.
The
Indian officials explained that of the 700 anti-dumping investigations,
only 11 were against KSA. Of these, two are pending. The Indian
anti-dumping procedures and outcome are rule-based and in accordance
with WTO agreements. The Indian anti-dumping authority (ADA) gives
adequate opportunity to the counter parties to defend them against
petition from Indian companies demanding tariff protection.
Sources
say that the minutes of the meeting recording the fact investigation in
one case of anti-dumping against KSA was expiring on 15 th January but
till 14 th January, the Saudi counterparty had not presented its case
despite an earlier extension. Indian side agreed that if an official
request is made by the KSA authorities before the expiry, extension
would be considered.
The
Indian officials told Saudi counterparts that if concerned parties fail
to represent their facts and contentions in time in anti-dumping cases,
then ADA arrives at decisions in their absence.
Against
the backdrop of these issues, the Joint Commission decided to set up
JTWG to address bilateral trade "facilitation measures".
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