Subject: Initiation of anti-dumping investigation concerning import of White Cement originating in or exported from United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran.

64/1/2000-DGAD-M/s. Grasim Industries Ltd., and M/s. JK Synthetics Limited have filed a petition for initiation of anti dumping investigation concerning the import of White Cement from the United Arab Emirates and Iran in accordance with Rule 5(1) of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti Dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules 1995.

2. Domestic Industry: The petition has been filed by M/s. Grasim Industries Ltd., and M/s. JK Synthetics Limited on behalf of the domestic industry. The petitioners have averred that there is one more producer of the product, M/s. TCL Ltd., Kerala. The petitioner's production of White cement accounts for more than 90% of the total production in the country and therefore have a standing to file the petition on behalf of domestic industry under the Rules above said.

3. Product Involved: The product involved is "white portland cement" which is normally referred to as "white cement". It is a construction material and used for non structural purposes such as flooring of tiles, cement based exteriors, paints and cement varnish etc. This falls within Chapter 25 of the Custom Tariff Act under the sub-heading 2523.21. The Custom classification is indicative only and not binding on the scope of investigation.

4. Countries involved: The petitioners have provided evidence of dumping of the product involved from the UAE and Iran (hereinafter referred to as subject countries) and have requested for initiation of investigation against these countries.

5. Like Article: The petitioners have claimed that the goods produced by them are 'like article' to the goods exported, originating in or exported from the subject territory. Therefore, for the purpose of investigation, the goods produced by the petitioners are being treated as 'like articles' of White cement (hereinafter referred to as subject goods) imported from the subject territory within the meaning of the Rules.

6. Normal Value: The petitioner has claimed normal value based on the constructed cost of production of the subject goods. Sufficient prima facie evidence has been presented to the Designated Authority with regard to the normal value of White cement in subject countries.

7. Export Price: The export price has been claimed on the basis of the data compiled by the Director General Commercial Intelligence & Statistics, Calcutta. Price adjustments have been claimed on account of landing charges, ocean freight, marine insurance, commission, port handling etc., to arrive at net export price. There is sufficient evidence of export price and the adjustments claimed for the subject goods from subject countries.

8. Dumping Margin: There is sufficient prima facie evidence that the normal value of the subject goods in the subject countries is significantly higher than the net export price indicating prima facie that the subject goods are being dumped by the exporters from the subject countries.

9. Injury and Causal Link: The petitioners have claimed that injury is being caused, especially in the coastal areas on account of price suppression resulting from dumped imports landing in these areas. It has been stated that because of the transportation costs being the major component for the cost, the dumped imports have led to severe price under cutting and erosion in the profitability for the domestic industry in the coastal areas. This is adversely affecting the domestic industry and as such the domestic industry has suffered material injury on account of dumping of the subject goods. Prima facie evidence on this account has been furnished to the Designated Authority by the domestic industry.

10. Initiation of Anti Dumping Investigation: The Designated Authority, in view of the foregoing paragraphs, initiates anti dumping investigations into the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject countries.

11. The period of investigation for the purpose of present investigations is 1^st January 1999 to 30^th June, 2000 (18 months).

12. Submission of Information: The exporters and importers known to be concerned and domestic industry are being informed separately to enable them to file all information relevant in the form and manner prescribed. Any other party interested to participate in the present investigation may write to:

13. Time Limit: All information relating to this investigation should be sent in writing so as to reach the Authority at the above address not later than 40 days from the date of publication of this notification. If no information is received within the prescribed time limit or the information received is incomplete, the Authority may record their findings on the basis of the facts available on record in accordance with the Rules supra.

14. Inspection of Public File: In terms of Rule 6 (7), any interested party may inspect the public file containing non-confidential version of the evidence submitted by other interested parties.

15. In case where an interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not provide necessary information within a reasonable period, or significantly impedes the investigation, the Authority may record its findings on the basis of the facts available to it and make such recommendations to the Central Government as deemed fit.