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Lawsuit on float glass import enters new phase
The lawsuit filed by Viglacera Float Glass Company (VIFG) and Vietnam Float Glass Company (VFG) against imported float glass products has entered a new phase as on Monday was the deadline for related sides to present their case.
VIFG and VFG in early July asked the Competition Administration Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade to initiate a safeguard investigation into imports of float glass from different countries and territories. The probe, the first of its kind since Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization in 2007, was set to inspect imports from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
The petitioners, who accounted for 91% of float glass productivity in Vietnam last year, said their production was hard hit when the market was flooded with imported float glass classified under HS code of 7005.29.90.00 and 7005.21.90.00. The Vietnam Float Glass Industry advocated the petitioners.
A report from the department says that foreign-made float glass increased sharply in the country in a short time, from 9,700 tons in 2007 to 33,700 tons last year and 14,600 tons in the first three months of 2009. The petitioners’ sales in the domestic market last year were reduced by 23% against 2007 while the companies had to let go of 6.36% and 10.6% of their staff in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Vietnam since 2006 has imported float glass from 14 countries and territories but mainly from nations included in the probe. Around 100 importers in the country were also put under investigation but only ten have cooperated with inspectors.
This is also the first lawsuit against foreign products since an Ordinance regarding protection against imports of foreign goods into Vietnam was released in 2002. Besides comments from local producers, the department also received disagreements from relevant ministries in Malaysia and Indonesia.
VietNamNet, SGT
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