AndhraNews.Net - Steel Exports to China

New Delhi: August 13, 2003

In May 2002. China initiated safeguard investigations against import of various categories of steel from several countries, including India. In November 2002 the investigations were completed and final safeguard measures in the form of quotas on five categories of steel items were imposed with additional tariff in case the imports exceed the relevant quota. These measures would be in place for the next two and a half years. However, these measures do not apply to India.

In accordance with the WTO rules China has exempted the developing countries, including India from the safeguard measures. However, the exemption is subject to the condition that import share of a developing country in a particular category should not exceed 3% of China's total import volume in that category.

A delegation led by the Minister of State for Steel visited China from May 18-23, 2002. The purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities of cooperation in the Iron and Steel sector. The public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Steel also send delegations to China to promote exports, source raw materials and explore areas of co-operation. The Embassy of India, Beijing has also identified products which are in demand under the Harmonised System Code 72 (Iron and Steel) in the Chinese market and the necessary information has been forwarded to the concerned Indian Chambers of Commerce/Exports Councils and industry players active in the field of Iron and Steel. The Indian Steel Alliance, working under the aegis of the confederation of India Industry (CII), has already initiated talks with the Chinese government and steel companies in China to increase trade between the two countries.

The Ministry is thus actively involved in various promotional efforts in consultation with the Industry and their Associations. The Government is fully discharging its role as a facilitator in a liberalised environment and helping the industry to adequately exploit the market potential.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel Shri Braja Kishore Tripathy in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Press Release by: PIB/DS:AM

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