Trade commission to hold hearings on impact of screw imports

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa has called for submissions ahead of public hearings to investigate the impact of increased imports of hexagon headed screws.

The hearings will take place in September in Pretoria. 

The ITAC is a public entity that governs SA's customs tariff investigations, trade remedies, and import and export control.

The hearings come as a result of applications by the South African Iron and Steel Institute on behalf of the South African Fasteners Manufacturers Association and two major producers of hexagon headed screws. 

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In a notice included in the government gazette of 10 August on Friday morning, the ITAC said interested parties were invited to submit comments on whether it will be in the public interest “to impose definitive safeguard measures on screws".

"The Commission made a preliminary determination that there is clear evidence that the increased imports have caused serious injury to the South African Customs Union industry," said ITAC. 

Interested parties which wish to attend the hearing and make oral representations to the commission on public interest, should indicate their intention to attend on or before 31 August 2018, according to the government gazette notice.

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The notice states that those interested in addressing the commission on public interest, should submit a detailed, non-confidential submission of information to be discussed at the public hearing to the senior manager before 07 September.

“A party that did not timeously submit a non-confidential version of the information to be discussed at the public hearing, will not be allowed to take part in the public hearing," the gazette states.