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The Trade and Industry Department held a briefing this afternoon (July 13) for the Hong Kong furniture sector to explain the European Union's (EU's) anti-dumping rules and procedures.
A spokesman for the department said information it had gathered showed that the European furniture industry might soon lodge a complaint to the European Commission (EC), the executive arm of the EU, alleging the dumping of Mainland-origin upholstered sofas and other types of chairs in the EU market; and request the initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding against those imports.
"Although the anti-dumping case is not directly against Hong Kong products, some of our local companies may be affected by this action in view of their investment in the Mainland," the spokesman said.
"According to the EU's regulation, once an anti-dumping investigation is initiated, affected companies that fail to respond in time may be subject to the highest applicable anti-dumping duty rate if dumping should be established," the spokesman added.
As in the past, the department has adopted a proactive approach in providing assistance to local traders involved in anti-dumping action against Mainland products. Every effort is made to disseminate timely information and provide advice on anti-dumping procedural matters to affected traders to help them react quickly and appropriately.
All known Hong Kong furniture producers, traders and relevant industry organisations were invited to join today's briefing, where traders were reminded to cooperate and participate in the investigation if it should be initiated by the EC.
To help affected companies better understand the requirements of the EU's anti-dumping proceedings and prepare for a response to and participation in the possible investigations, Trade and Industry Department officers explained in detail at the briefing the EU's anti-dumping regulation and answered questions from the traders on procedural and related matters concerning the anti-dumping action. Contact information for the Guangdong authority that handles overseas anti-dumping action against Mainland products was also provided at the briefing.
The HKSAR Government will continue to keep a close watch on the case and any possible anti-dumping action against goods of Hong Kong or Mainland origin. Updated information will be disseminated promptly and widely through the department's anti-dumping website (http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/trade_relations/ad/ad_content.html) and in commercial information circulars.
Ends/Thursday, July 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:27
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