The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) said it has received a petition from the Malaysia Steel Association asking for an anti-dumping investigation on imports of steel reinforcing bar (rebar). 

“The petitioner alleged that imports of rebar originating in, or exported from Singapore and Turkey, are being dumped into Malaysia at a price much lower than their domestic price,” the ministry said in a statement. 

According to the petition, these are hot rolled steel bars containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other deformation. 

MITI said the government has considered the prima facie evidence of dumping, injury and causal link and decided to initiate the anti-dumping investigation. 

A preliminary determination will be made within 120 days from the date of initiation, in accordance with the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993 and its related regulations, the ministry said. 

If the preliminary determination is affirmative, the government will impose a provisional anti-dumping duty at the rate that is necessary to prevent further injury, it added. 

In connection with this investigation, MITI said it will provide a set of questionnaires to interested parties, including importers, foreign producers, exporters and associations.

“Interested parties may also provide additional supporting evidence to MITI on or before May 24, 2019,” it added. 

Meanwhile, MITI said other interested parties may request for the questionnaires no later than May 10. 

If no additional information is received within the specified period, the ministry said the government will make its preliminary findings based on available facts.