CAPE TOWN: The International Trade Administration Commission of SA (Itac) has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of between 14.29% and 77.15% on Pakistani cement imports, up to and including November 13.
This comes about 10 months after cement producers representing the industry in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) submitted an application to Itac saying they are suffering “material harm” from Pakistani cement dumping. The companies comprise Afrisam, Lafarge, Natal Portland Cement Cimpor and PPC. Dumping occurs when companies export goods to foreign markets at prices lower than the amount they charge for the same product in their home market.
“Pakistan’s exports to its traditional markets are declining and imports from Pakistan into Sacu increased more than 600% between 2010 and 2013,” Itac said on Friday. The commission made a preliminary determination that Portland cement originating in or imported from Pakistan was dumped into the Sacu market, causing material injury to the Sacu industry. Itac found the Sacu industry was suffering a decline in sales volume and output, as well as profits and cash flow. It had also experienced price undercutting and price suppression, it said.
