Government initiates anti-dumping probe into imports of solar glass

The government has initiated an anti-dumping probe into imports of a particular kind of solar glass following a complaint from Gujarat Borosil Ltd. The company had filed an application before the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for initiation of an investigation into import of ‘Textured Tempered Glass whether Coated or Uncoated’ from Malaysia. In a notification, the DGAD said that there is “sufficient prima facie evidence” that the goods are being dumped into the Indian market by the exporters from this country. The anti-dumping duty, if imposed, would help guard domestic players in the sector against cheap imports of the product. “The authority hereby initiates an investigation into the alleged dumping, and consequent injury to the domestic industry,” the notification said. In the probe, it would determine the existence and effect of the alleged dumping and recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry. Import data of the period from October 2016 to December 2017 (15 months) would be taken for the purpose of the investigation. The product in the market parlance is also known by various names such as solar glass, low iron solar glass and high transmission photovoltaic glass. It is used as a component in solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal applications. DGAD after concluding the probe may recommend imposition of the duty and the finance ministry notifies the levy. Countries carry out anti-dumping probe to determine whether their domestic industries have been hurt because of a surge in cheap imports. As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of WTO. The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practises and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers with regard to foreign producers and exporters. India has already imposed anti-dumping duty on several products to tackle cheap imports, including from China.