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.

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).