Duties on graphite electrodes to be reviewed

NEW DELHI: The designate anti-dumping authority has initiated a ''sunset review'' of duties imposed on imports of graphite electrodes from US, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China and Belgium.
Anti-dumping duties on the said item had been imposed by the government on the basis of recommendations made by the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) in March 1998.
The sunset review has been initiated to examine whether cessation of the duty on imports of Graphite Electrodes originating in or exported from the eight countries was likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury.
The period of investigation for the purpose of the sunset review will be from April to December 2001, as per a initiation notification issued by the DGAD.
The present investigation covers ultra high power grade Graphite Electrodes as well as normal power grade Graphite Electrodes including its variation, high power grade (referred to as NPG electrodes), the notification said.
The DGAD has, meanwhile, also initiated an anti-dumping investigation against imports of caustic soda from China and Korea.
The investigation for the period April 2001 to March 2002 has been initiated on the basis of a petition filed by the Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI).
Caustic soda is an inorganic chemical and is a soapy, strongly alkaline odourless chemical used in various fields including paper and paper pulp, newsprint, viscose yarn, staple fibre, drugs and pharmaceuticals and petroleum refining.