On September 26, 2001, the International Trade Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the "ITC of MOEA") made an affirmative preliminary determination in its injury investigation involving Portland Cement and Clinker from South Korea and the Philippines.
According to the affirmative preliminary determination, the ITC found that there is a reasonable indication that an R.O.C. industry is being materially injured by reason of imports of Portland Cement and Clinker from South Korea and the Philippines that are alleged to be sold in the R.O.C. at less than normal value.
Under the jurisdiction set forth in the Implementing Regulation on the Imposition of Countervailing and Antidumping Duties, the MOEA shall make an investigation, conducted by the ITC, as to whether there is any injury to an R.O.C. industry. As a result of the MOEAs affirmative preliminary determination, the Ministry of Finance will continue to conduct a dumping investigation of imports of Portland Cement and Clinker from South Korea and the Philippines, and its preliminary determination will be made within seventy-five days (if not extended) after the next day of receipt of a notice, made by the MOEA at September 26, of the foregoing determination.
The public Chinese version of the preliminary injury investigation report is expected to be available after October 9, 2001 from the website http://www.moeaitc.gov.tw/case2.htm or from the office of the Investigation Division of the ITC.
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHT
Product Description: The imported products subject to this investigation are Type I and Type II of Portland Cement and of its Clinker (Portland Cement and Clinker). Portland Cement Type I, also known as ordinary cement, is intended for structural projects generally not exposed to sulfate-containing soil or underground water. Most cement in use on the market falls in this category. Portland Cement Type II has a low alkalis content and is moderately resistant to sulfates. It is suitable for the large-size structural constructions, like underground foundation projects, bridges, dams, harbors, etc. The imported products subject to this investigation were classified under subheading 2523.29.90.00 and 2523.10.90.00 of the Customs Import Tariff and Classification of Import and Export Commodities of the Republic of China during the period of investigation.
Status of Proceedings: Type of investigation: Preliminary antidumping investigation. Petitioner: Asia Cement Corp., Taiwan Cement Corp., Lucky Cement Corp., Hsing Ta Cement Co., Ltd., China Rebar Company Ltd. Date of the institution of preliminary investigation by the ITC: July 25, 2001. Date of the ITC hearing: August 20, 2001. Date of the ITC vote: September 26, 2001. Date of the MOEA notification to the Ministry of Finance: September 26, 2001.
R.O.C. Industry: Number of producers during the period, January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001: twelve. Employment of production and related workers during the period, January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001: 3,209 persons. Apparent R.O.C. consumption during the period, January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001: 7,903,307 metric tons. Market share held by the domestic like product during the period, January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001: 79.5% by quantity.
R.O.C. Imports: Subject imports from South Korea and the Philippines, during the period, January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001: about 1,024,922 metric tons. Subject imports from third countries during the period, January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001: about 593,785 metric tons.
Leading import sources during the period, January 1, 2001 - June 30, 2001: the Philippines, Japan, South Korea.