On October 2, 1999, the International Trade Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the "ITC of MOEA") made a negative preliminary determination in its injury investigation involving Acrylonitrile from the US, Japan and Korea.
According to the negative preliminary determination, the ITC found that an ROC industry is not being materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of Acrylonitrile from the US, Japan and Korea that are allegedly sold in ROC 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 ITC, as to whether there is any injury to an ROC industry. As a result of the MOEA's negative preliminary determination, we will transfer this case to the Ministry of Finance by October 18 for an official termination of this case.
The public Chinese version of the preliminary injury investigation report is expected to be available after October 18, 1999, from the office of Investigation Division, the ITC. If you would like a copy of this report, please contact us.
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHT
Product Description: The imported product subject to this investigation is Acrylonitrile, which is an important raw material for acrylic fiber and ABS plastics. Acrylonitrile is manufactured to international standard of 99.5% purity and above, by using so-called SOHIO/BP manufacturing process developed by BP Chemicals Inc. The Acrylonitrile subject to this investigation may be classified under subheadings 2926.1000.00 of the Customs Import Tariff and Classification of Import and Export Commodities of the Republic of China.
Status of Proceedings: 1. Type of investigation: Preliminary antidumping investigation. 2. Petitioner: China Petrochemical Development Corporation. 3. Date of the initiation of the preliminary investigation by the ITC: August 13, 1999. 4. Date of the ITC preliminary conference: September 7, 1999. 5. Date of the ITC vote: October 2, 1999. 6. Date of the MOEA determination being transfered to the Ministry of Finance: by October 18, 1999
R.O.C. Industry: 1. Number of producers during the period, January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998: one. 2. Employment of production and related workers during the period, January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998: above 200. 3. Apparent R.O.C. consumption during the period, January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998: 356,366 metric tons (M.T.). 4. Market share held by the domestic like product during the period, January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998: 36.1%.
R.O.C. Imports: 1. Subject imports from US, Japan and Korea during the period, January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998: 217,448 M.T.. 2. Subject imports from third countries during the period, January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998: 10, 349 M.T.. 3. Leading import sources during the period, January 1, 1998-December 31, 1998: US.