By Eugene Davis
The Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC) has made a determination on a petition dated June 30,2022 submitted by Global Roofing and Construction Limited, a subsidiary of Asadtek Group of Companies, concluding that imported consignment brought into the country constitute dumping since it was not at fair value.
This ruling was contained in a press statement and signed by its Executive Secretary, Frank Agyekum.
The petition was a request for a waiver/exemption of 35.77% Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) imposed on consignments of Aluminium coils and circles imported from China. The petitioner contended that the above-mentioned consignments of aluminium coils and circles did not constitute dumping.
The Commission took into consideration the facts contained in the filed petition and the 29 page supporting documents. The Commission analysed the issues brought before it, in accordance with the GITC Act 926,2016 and the GITC Anti-Dumping Regulations,2019, L.I.2380 and concluded that the imported consignments were not brought into Ghana at fair values, hence constituted dumping.
The Commission therefore determined that the request for a waiver/exemption of 35.77% Anti-Dumping Duty on its imported consignments cannot be granted.
GITC was established by an Act of Parliament in September 2016 to regulate Ghana’s international trade architecture in conformity with the rules and regulations of the World Trade System and to provide for related matters.
According to the GITC Act, the objectives of the Commission include ensuring fair competition for persons engaged in domestic production and international trade; overseeing Ghana’s compliance with international trade rules and regulations; protecting the domestic industry or market from the impact of unfair trade practices and ensuring transparency, fairness, efficiency and objectivity in the application of measures affecting international trade and the use of world trade measures.
The functions of the Commission are but not limited to advise, recommend and provide analytical support to the Minister of Trade & Industry on: proposals for trade-related legislation; preparation of documentation and negotiating position of Government during international trade negotiations; Ghana’s compliance with its bilateral and multilateral trade treaties and obligations; tariff levels for specific sectors of the economy and on matters affecting trade and industry after monitoring and reviewing the Country’s international trade.
For Manufacturers, the Commission will determine complaints before it in areas of Safeguard Measures; Subsidization of Imported Products by Foreign Governments; the Dumping of imported products into our domestic market; tariff adjustments and actions which are deemed to affect fair trade
On the part of Importers and Traders, the Commission will settle disputes arising from classification and valuation of imported products between them and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority
For Exporters, the Commission will conduct studies and publish reports on the competitiveness of Ghana’s tariff structure and its impact on the domestic industry, market access opportunities and challenges with exports from Ghana.
