PVMA wants NTC probe into tinplate case cancelled

The Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) has approached Commerce minister Humayun Akhtar for cancellation of National Tariff Commission's hearing into tinplate dumping case, saying punitive action against the country's major trade partners will serve no purpose but hit its interests adversely.
In its SOS to the minister, PVMA said that NTC's hearing into anti-dumping case filed by Siddiqsons Tinplate Limited, Karachi, was totally uncalled for and a severe blow to the national cause at this point in time when Pakistan was making desperate efforts to get more share from its world trade partners to enhance exports.
Siddiqsons in its petition filed with NTC had claimed that tinplate imported from France, Germany, Italy, UK and USA was being dumped and hurting the local industry and demanded anti-dumping duty on its import from these countries.
The Commission admitted the petition for hearing and issued public notice to initiate investigation into the case.
PVMA informed Humayun that Siddiqsons was enjoying unmatched concessions and exemptions of customs duty, sales tax on import of black tin used in manufacturing of tinplate locally. It added that Siddiqsons' total exemption from income tax and GST was already putting tinplate importers at a disadvantage and now NTC's decision in favour could establish its monopoly in tinplate trade.
PVMA in its letter said, "Ghee industry, a major user of tin plate for packing its wide range of products, is stunned by NTC action and wonders that how a government department went to the extent of taking action against those countries, which were major source of its exports just for the sake of one unit which is not contributing to the national exchequer in the form of taxes and duties."
The letter stated that in case Siddiqsons succeeded in imposing anti-dumping duty in this case, it would unnecessarily provide an excuse particularly to the European Union and other developed countries to continue duty enhancement on certain textiles from Pakistan. Moreover, it will weaken Pakistan's position in the upcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting scheduled in Hong Kong.