Representatives of the cement industry in the United Arab Emirates have formally filed a protest against a decision by the Indian government to impose a $30 per ton anti-dumping duty on white Portland cement imports from the UAE. The same duty was also imposed on imports from Iran.
In its preliminary findings on the anti-dumping investigations concerning imports of white cement exported, the designated authority in the Indian Commerce Ministry has concluded that the product has been exported to India from the UAE and Iran below its “normal value”. In its findings, the authority has also noted that imports of white cement have over the years increased significantly from about 1,700 tons in 1996-97 to about 9,400 tons during 1999-2000.
According to Gulf News sources in the UAE’s cement-producing sector have said that the new duty would force locally produced white cement out of the valuable Indian market.
To remedy the situation, the Ras Al-Khaimah Co for White Cement and Construction, has initiated talks with the Indian government, hoping to reduce or eliminate the duties. Of late, Ras Al-Khaimah has been exporting an average 2,500 tons per month to India.
White cement is a construction material which is used for non-structural purposes such as flooring of tiles, cement based exteriors, paints and cement varnish. ― (MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
