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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Press Release

Briefing to explain EU's anti-dumping procedures 
Thursday, July 13, 2006

The Trade and Industry Department (TID) held a briefing this afternoon (July 13) for the Hong Kong furniture sector on the rules and procedures of the anti-dumping (AD) proceeding of the European Union (EU).

A spokesman for the TID said information gathered by the Department 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 AD proceeding against those imports.

"Although the AD case is not directly against Hong Kong products, some of our local companies may be affected by this AD action in view of their investment in the Mainland," the spokesman said.

"According to the EU's regulation, once an AD investigation is initiated, affected companies that fail to respond in time may be subject to the highest applicable AD duty rate if dumping should be established," the spokesman added.

As in the past, the TID has been adopting a proactive approach in providing assistance to local traders involved in AD actions against Mainland products. Every effort is made to disseminate timely information and provide advice on AD procedural matters to affected traders so as 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 AD proceeding and prepare for response to and participation in the possible investigations, TID officers explained in detail at the briefing EU's AD regulation and answered questions from the traders on procedural and related matters concerning the AD action. The contact information of the Guangdong authority that handles overseas AD actions against Mainland products was also provided at the briefing session.

The HKSAR Government will continue to keep a close watch on the case and any possible AD actions against goods of Hong Kong as well as Mainland origin. Updated information will be disseminated promptly and widely through the TID's AD website (http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/trade_relations/ ad/ad_content.html) and commercial information circulars.

Ends