DGTR moots quantitative curbs on soda ash imports for 2 years

The commerce ministry's trade remedy investigation arm, Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), has recommended safeguard measures in the form of quantitative restrictions on imports of soda ash, which is used in different sectors such as detergents and textiles, for two years.

The move aims to prevent impact on the domestic industry from a significant increase in imports.
The DGTR has recommended the imposition of duty after the conclusion of a probe in this regard.

An application was filed by the Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI) on behalf of DCW Ltd, GHCL Ltd, Nirma Ltd, RSPL Ltd and Tata Chemicals seeking imposition of safeguard measures in the form of quantitative restrictions on imports of Soda Ash into India for four years, according to the DGTR notification.
The applicant has alleged that the product is being imported into India in increased quantities, which is impacting the domestic industry.

In its probe, the DGTR has concluded that the imports have increased in both absolute and relative terms.
It has increased by 89% in 2023-24 and has remained at that level since, and the increase is recent, sudden, sharp and significant enough to threaten serious injury, it said.
"...the Authorised Officer recommends the imposition of safeguard measures in the form of quantitative restrictions on imports of the product under consideration...in order to prevent serious injury to the domestic industry and to facilitate its adjustment, for a period of two years," it has said.

It has recommended an import quota for Year 1 at 7,54,992 tonne .The quota for Year 2 should be 7,92,740 tonne, taking the cumulative quota for the two years to 15,47,732 tonne.
Country-wise, the quota for the USA shall be 1,59,388 tonne in Year 1 and 1,67,357 tonne in Year 2, aggregating to 3,26,745 tonne. Turkey shall have a quota of 1,28,697 tonne in Year 1 and 1,35,132 tonne in Year 2, totalling 2,63,829 tonne. The quota for Iran/UAE shall be 1,10,948 tonne and 1,16,495 tonne, respectively, with a cumulative allocation of 2,27,443 tonne, DGTR recommended.

Similarly, Russia shall be allocated 70,289 tonne in Year 1 and 73,803 tonne in Year 2, aggregating to 1,44,092 tonne. The European Union shall have a quota of 1,17,179 tonne in Year 1 and 1,23,038 tonne in Year 2, totalling 2,40,217 tonne, while Kenya shall be allocated 1,21,847 tonne and 1,27,939 tonne, respectively, amounting to 2,49,786 tonne.
China PR shall have an annual quota of 46,487 tonne in Year 1 and 48,811 tonne in Year 2, taking the total to 95,298 tonne. The allocation for other countries shall be 157 tonne in Year 1 and 165 tonne in Year 2, aggregating to 322 tonne.

"The annual quota of each country shall be allotted in four quarterly tranches...Imports from a country in any quarter shall not exceed its quota for that quarter," it added. - PTI