News Room - Steel Industry

Malaysia has received a safeguard petition from Megasteel Sdn Bhd, representing the domestic industry producing hot rolled coils (HRC).

The petitioner alleged that the importation of HRC into Malaysia had increased from 2012 to 2014 in absolute and relative terms which resulted in serious injury to the local industry," the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) said in a statement.

It said the government had decided to initiate a safeguard investigation on the imports of HRC.

HRC is used as base material in various industries such as cargo freight containers and cranes, gas cylinder material and lamp posts.

In accordance with Act 657 and its regulation, preliminary determination will be made within 90 days from the date of commencement of the investigation.

"Further investigation would be carried out if preliminary affirmative determination is made by the government.

"During this time, the government may impose a provisional safeguard duty on the imports of HRC, for the purpose of reducing the effects of serious injury to the domestic industry caused by the imports," it said.

Any enquiries by interested parties such as importers, domestic producers, foreign producers/exporters and associations related to the investigation may be referred to the Trade Practices Section of the ministry.