THE OECD has named Australia as one of the countries raising protectionist barriers since the global financial crisis because of its pursuit of anti-dumping actions.

Australia is second only to Brazil among G20 nations for the number of anti-dumping actions it has initiated in the past two years, 21 actions to Brazil's 34.

In a report prepared for this weekend's G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Mexico, the OECD said that after a long period of decline, the number of anti-dumping actions being launched has started to rise.

The OECD reminded the G20 meeting that the leaders' summit in June this year had concluded with "a firm commitment to open trade and investment, expanding markets and resisting protectionism in all its forms".

It said there had in fact been a slowdown in the number of new trade restrictive measures by G20 members over the past five months, but new measures were adding to the restrictions imposed since the GFC. The World Trade Organisation has revised down its forecast for trade this year, from 3.7 per cent to only 2.5 per cent, less than half the 20-year average of 5.4 per cent.

The chairman of the Productivity Commission, Gary Banks, last week urged a relaxation in Australia's anti-dumping regime, which was strengthened by the Gillard government, to foster greater competition in Australian markets to promote productivity.

Mr Banks said there was nothing wrong with companies selling in foreign markets for less than in their domestic market -- the definition used by Australia to establish anti-dumping -- adding that Australian companies do it all the time.

The OECD did note there had been fewer anti-dumping actions started so far this year (seven) than there were in 2011 (14).