India begins anti-dumping probe into "cheap" paper imports

India has initiated an anti-dumping probe into imports of a certain kind of paper from Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore following complaints from some domestic companies.

The West Coast Paper Mills, Tamil Nadu Newsprint, Papers Ltd, Ballarpur Industries and JK PaperBSE -1.61 % had filed an application before the Directorate General of Antidumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for initiation of anti-dumping investigation into imports of 'Uncoated Paper' from the three countries.
The DGAD in a notification said it has found "sufficient prima facie evidence" of dumping of such paper from these countries. This paper is used as a photocopy or copy paper.
The move is aimed at protecting domestic players in the sector against cheap imports.

"The authority hereby initiates an investigation into the alleged dumping, and consequent injury to the domestic industry," it said.
In the probe, it would determine the existence and effect of the alleged dumping and recommend the amount of anti- dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry, it added.
The period of probe would be April 2016 - June 2017 (15 months) for the purpose of present investigations.

However, for the purpose of injury investigation, the period will cover the data from 2013-2016.
Countries carry out anti-dumping probe to determine whether their domestic industries have been hurt because of a surge in cheap imports.
As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of WTO.

The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers vis-a- vis foreign producers and exporters.
India has already imposed anti-dumping duty on several products to tackle cheap imports from countries, including China.

Indian exports to China up by 40.69% in Jan-Aug period

BEIJING: India's exports to China, which have been showing signs of revival this year after years of slump, registered a 40.69 per cent rise year-on-year to reach $10.60 billion in the first seven months of 2017.

Fired by exports of zinc, iron ore and steel, total Indian exports to China registered a 38.6 per cent increase year-on-year in August this year totaling to $1.26 billion, the sharpest increase this year.

However, the trade deficit expanded to $44.51 billion in the first seven months despite surge in Indian exports as imports from China continue to increase.

The India-China bilateral trade increased 18.34 per cent year-on-year to reach $55.11 billion from January to August this year, according to official data accessed by here.

India's exports to China increased by 40.69 per cent year-on-year to reach $10.60 billion during the seven months.

India's imports from China saw a year-on-year growth of 14.02 per cent to reach $44.50 billion.
The cause for surge of Indian exports to China was a result of an exponential increase of 353.99 per cent of exports of zinc and related items, 248.19 per cent of iron and steel and 100.7 per cent increase in ores and slag and 151.17 per cent rise in copper.

India was the second largest exporter of diamonds to China totalling to $1.63 billion with a market share of 32.97 per cent after South Africa.
India was the second largest exporter of salt, sulphur, earths and stone, plastering materials, lime, and cement to China totalling to $692 million with 17.39 per cent market share after Turkey.

India's cotton exports, including yarn and woven fabric, to China showed a growth of 6.77 per cent to reach $844 million.
The country was the third largest exporter of cotton to China after Vietnam and the US accounting for 15.05 per cent share in the Chinese market.
India-China bilateral trade increased by 14.93 per cent year-on-year in August to reach $7.51 billion .
Despite the increase in Indian exports to China, Indian business and trade circles associated with bilateral trade however, advise caution as it is mostly led by iron ore and steel exports which started declining in 2013 due to a domestic crackdown on mines as well as China scaling down its steel production due to the global economic crisis.
The trade deficit began expanding ever since iron ore exports, the mainstay of Indian exports started declining.

Last year, the trade deficit climbed to $52 billion.

India has been pressing China to open up its pharmaceutical and IT software sectors to expand the base of Indian exports.

So far, there has been no major breakthrough in both areas, despite promises by China.

Govt, industry to brainstorm on measures to boost exports

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 3: 
The export sector’s woes finally seem to have nudged the Centre into action. On Friday, when the GST Council meets to iron out the sector’s problems, three key Union ministers will hold a brainstorming session with officials, exporters and industry bodies to identify measures to lift exports on to a higher growth trajectory.

Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar will hold talks with representatives from key ministries and departments, including Finance, Heavy Industry and MSME, as well as exporters’ and industry bodies, a government official told BusinessLine.

“The inputs from the session will also be used to frame the mid-term review of the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), which is already delayed. The focus will be on how India can go for a quantum jump in exports,” the official said.

Exports have fallen woefully short of the FTP targets announced in April 2015, which projected annual exports of $900 billion by 2020. However, exports have hovered around $300 billion in the last two years.

Liquidity challenges after the GST regime kicked in and the rupee’s volatility have made the going tougher for exporters.

“The Commerce Ministry realises it is time for a course correction in order to move exports to a higher growth trajectory. Not only will steps need to be taken to address the immediate problems, effective schemes have to be devised to increase their competitiveness,” the official said.

New challenge
With the World Trade Organization declaring earlier this year that India’s per capita Gross National Product (GNP) had exceeded $1,000 for three years in a row (2013, 2012, 2015), the country will now be ineligible for export incentives that only poorer countries are allowed.

“The Ministry will have to look at new options together with affected ministries, such as Textiles, in order to ensure that action is not taken against Indian exports by other WTO member countries,” the official said.Exporter wishlist
Meanwhile, the GST Council is expected to consider some of the requests made by the export sector, which includes exemption from Integrated GST (IGST) on imports of inputs used in exports (under schemes such as Export Promotion Capital Goods and Advance Authorisation); exemption from GST for merchant exporters and wider usage of duty exemption scrips (earned under incentive schemes such as Merchandise Export from India Scheme).

“In the meeting with the Centre on increasing exports, we will highlight problems of the export sector, give possible solutions and suggest a strategy to increase exports,” said Ajay Sahai, Director General, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

Export Summary-U.S. sells soybeans to unknown; Egypt seeks vegoil

Sept 11 (Reuters) - Snapshot of the global export markets for grains, oilseeds and edible oils as reported by government and private sources as of the end of business on Monday:
SOYBEAN SALE: The U.S. Department of Agriculture said private exporters sold 352,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans to unknown destinations for delivery during the 2017/18 corn marketing year that began Sept. 1.
FEED BARLEY PURCHASE: Turkey's state grain board TMO bought 60,000 tonnes of feed barley in a tender which closed on Monday, European traders said. The purchase awards were still subject to confirmation.
VEGOILS TENDER: Egypt's state buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), said on Saturday it was seeking crude soyoil and sunflower oil in an international tender. The deadline for offers is Sept. 12, it said.
FEED GRAIN TENDER: A group of Israeli private buyers issued international tenders to purchase up to 90,000 tonnes of corn, 50,000 tonnes of feed wheat and 20,000 tonnes of feed barley, European traders said. The tenders close on Sept. 13. The corn should be sourced from the Black Sea region and is sought in three 30,000 tonnes consignments for shipment between Nov. 20, 2017, to Feb. 10, 2018.
FEED BARLEY TENDER: Jordan's state grain buyer issued another international tender to purchase 100,000 tonnes of animal feed barley to be sourced from optional origins, European traders said. Tender deadline is Sept. 14. Traders had been anticipating a new tender after Jordan made no purchase in its previous tender for 100,000 tonnes of barley on Sept. 7.
PENDING TENDERS:
FEED BARLEY, CORN TENDER: Iranian state-owned animal feed importer SLAL issued two international tenders to buy up to 200,000 tonnes of feed barley and 200,000 tonnes of corn, European traders said. The tenders close on Sept. 11.
RICE TENDER: Bangladesh's state grains buyer issued another international tender to purchase 50,000 tonnes of rice, traders said, stepping up the country's rice import program. The tender deadline is Sept. 12. The latest tender on Thursday sought non-basmati parboiled rice with offers to be made in CIF liner-out terms, including cost, insurance, freight and ship unloading costs.
WHEAT TENDER: Jordan's state grains buyer issued an international tender to purchase 100,000 tonnes of hard milling wheat which can be sourced from optional origins. The tender closes on Sept. 13.
SOYBEAN TENDER: South Korea's state-backed Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. issued international tenders to purchase around 10,000 tonnes of soybeans free of genetically modified organisms. The registration deadline to participate in both tenders is Sept. 14 with offers to be submitted on Sept. 15, they said.
SOYMEAL TENDER: Iranian state-owned animal feed importer SLAL issued an international tender to purchase about 200,000 tonnes of soymeal, European traders said. Offers in the tender must be submitted on Oct. 2. The soymeal can be sourced from Argentina or Brazil only and prices must be submitted in euros.