ISLAMABAD: With a commitment to safeguard the interests of domestic industry against the influx of imported goods, the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has introduced numerous measures in the form of regulatory amendments through “Import Policy Order”.
“These measures and amendments have been finalized after detailed and lengthy consultations with all the stakeholders” a source at MoC told this scribe here on Saturday adding that the domestic industry is being protected through, import tariffs being levied to curtail the influx of imported goods and the mechanism of International Trade Remedy Law.
Being a founding Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), MoC promulgated three trade remedy laws Anti-Dumping Duties Ordinance, 2000; Countervailing Duties Ordinance, 2001; and Safeguards Measures Ordinance, 2002, to give effect in Pakistan to the respective WTO trade remedy agreements including
These laws provide contingent protection to domestic industries from unfair practice of dumping, subsidized imports and against sudden surge as well as influx of imports through imposition of measures.
Although it appears simple an exercise of identification of the issue to concerned governmental agency who would take action, yet in reality, it involves a series of complex substantive and procedural steps where the domestic industry lodges a formal complaint against foreign exporters and producers followed by a detailed investigating procedure with parties afforded ample opportunities for defense of their interests.
All this has to be done within the rules of the multilateral rules-based trading system and, therefore, the domestic laws are required to be in strict conformity with the respective WTO agreements.
National Tariff Commission (NTC), established under the National Tariff Commission Act, 1990 is the principal investigating and relief granting authority under trade remedy laws. In case of anti-dumping and countervailing, the NTC is the sole authority to impose duties, whereas, in case of safeguards, the NTC conducts investigations and submits its recommendations to the Federal Government for further action/decision.
MoC also formulate import and export policies after extensive consultations with all the stake holders. Suggestions, plans and proposals were invited from the local industry, their respective associations and Government bodies, which are in direct contact with the local industry.
MoC circulated suggestions, plans and proposals to the Government agencies, Ministries for their assessments and comments. Later, series of meetings were held with the stock holders, to discuss the proposals with the local industry before final discussions in the Inter-Ministerial and Advisory Council meetings. Once agreed by all the stakeholders, the proposals are taken to the cabinet for final approval.
