DUBAI, October 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the regional umbrella organization of petrochemical and chemical producers in the region, has launched an initiative to challenge what it described as protectionist measures in the garb of anti-dumping procedures launched by China, India and the European Union (EU) against exports from countries in the region.

The GPCA's strong statement today comes in the wake of recent moves by China and India against petrochemical exporters based in Saudi Arabia and Oman. China and India have sought to protect their domestic industries by initiating anti-dumping measures while more recently, the EU has launched anti-dumping cases against producers in the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

GPCA's statement is significant as the association is the region's voice on issues and challenges that face the petrochemical and chemical industry, which is a key pillar of the regional economies.

GPCA Secretary General Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun said the Association is concerned about the potential impact of these protectionist measures on the global petrochemical and chemical industry and the downstream consumers in China and India. "GPCA will strengthen coordination with GCC Governments to ensure that exports of petrochemicals and chemicals from the Gulf region are not restricted by anti-dumping regulations and other trade restrictions," he said.

"The GCC industry and our governments will not accept the application of anti-dumping regulations against exports of petrochemicals and chemicals from the Gulf. We have seen a surge in protectionist actions brought by countries to block imports. These cases are baseless and violate international rules," Al-Sadoun said.

As part of its initiative, GPCA will investigate and recommend specific actions that should be taken against trading partners that restrict GCC petrochemical and chemical exports. The anti-protectionist initiative will continue to be a key aspect of GPCA's mandate for sharing information, analysing trends and giving a common voice to the GCC industry.

GPCA has instituted an Advocacy Committee that will adopt a system to alert members about anti-dumping cases and work closely with GCC governments and the GCC Secretariat to defend the regional industry against such unwarranted actions.