Posted on 11 Mar 2015
The Department of Trade and Industry has dismissed a petition for safeguard measures against imported galvanized iron (GI) and pre-painted galvanized iron (PPGI) sheets after its preliminary investigation concluded that the growth in imports did not cause serious injury to the domestic industry and that petitioner even posted 82 percent increase in profit.
In an order dated Feb. 2, 2015, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo ordered to dismiss the safeguard measures investigation, which was filed in 2013 by the country’s leading GI sheets manufacturer Puyat Steel Corp. The DTI has also notified the World Trade Organization last Feb. 27, 2015 that it had terminated the investigation with no safeguard measure imposed.
“The department hereby orders the dismissal of the safeguard measures investigation on GI and PPGI sheets and coils since the presence of serious injury perceived by the domestic industry was not established,” Domingo’s order stated. The DTI chief also ordered the publication of the order in two newspapers of general circulation.
Results of the preliminary investigation, which period of investigation (POI) covered imports from 2007 to August 2013, showed that despite the increased imports, there was no indication that the domestic GI and PPGI industry suffered serious injury.
“The perceived serious injury allegedly caused by increased imports does not merit affirmative findings. The petitioner has shown robust operations during the prior of increased imports. Specifically, their raw material importations continuously increased. Their combined sales volume have been on an upward trend. Their gross profits increased form 2011 to 2012 and the January to August 2013 level is almost 82 percent of 2012. Net profits were also recorded,” the DTI order noted.
