KARACHI: The Polyester Staple Fibre Manufacturers Group has extended its full support to implementation of the Anti-Dumping Duties Ordinance and said it was in the interest of public and necessary for enabling fair trade practices in the country.

The group termed earlier criticism of the law unfair and said the ordinance was in the public interest. “The allegation that anti-dumping laws do not take into account public interest and are, therefore, damaging the domestic textile industry is baseless. The Ordinance clearly states that imposition of anti-dumping duties to offset injurious dumping is, in fact, in the public interest”, said a statement issued by the group.

The PSFM is a group of companies such as Rupali Polyester, Dewan Salman Fibres and ICI Pakistan Ltd.

The assertion that a “public interest” clause is included in anti-dumping legislation worldwide is also inaccurate. Only a handful of WTO members have such a “public interest” clause in their legislation and, its actual usage is very rare, it said and adding, it is noteworthy that the international Anti-dumping Agreement does not require national authorities to make the imposition of anti-dumping duty subject to a “public interest” test.

Anti-dumping duty is recognized globally as an instrument for ensuring fair trade and is not a tool for protectionism. In fact, it serves as an equalization mechanism ensuring a level playing field for the industry concerned.