Time Limits For Dumping Case Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia

BRUSSELS, Belgium (April 23) - The European Commission recently sent out questionnaires of over 100 pages to bicycle manufacturers in Indonesia, Thailand and Malay with regard to the review of the anti-dumping measures on bicycles originating from the three countries. 40 days are given after the publication of the renewed dumping investigation in the Official Journal of the European Union, "for parties to make themselves known, to submit questionnaires replies and any other information". All interested parties "may also apply to be heard by the Commission within this 40 days time limit". In other words: This 40 days deadline means until 21 May 2001. Recently the European Commission accepted the request of the European Bicycle Manufacturers' Association (EBMA) to review the anti-dumping measures on bicycles originating from Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The existing duties will remain in force until the European Commission has finished its renewed investigation. The charges imposed vary between 13.0% and 39.4% per country and per manufacturer. About the renewed investigation, EBMA spokesman Brian Montgomery says, "This matter is not taken lightly by the Commission and its advisory committee. It has taken serious and extensive argumentation to convince the Commission of the sense of renewed investigation and maintaining the status quo for the moment." The renewed inquiry is expected to last about 12 months. The existing anti-dumping duties are in force since April 1996 and valid for a five-years period. Due to the ending of this time period in April 2001 the EU made an official announcement about the ending anti-dumping duties in September 2000. This announcement is part of the overall procedure and is connected to strict deadlines. Then it was up to the European industry to ask for further ongoing anti-dumping tariffs against these "tigers". Deadline for this complaint was 13 January. Due to the overall procedure the EU Commission had to answer on this until April. "This very welcome and hard won document launches the expiry review on this case", a satisfied Montgomery said to Bike Europe. (JB/OB)