'Dumping cases need better assessment'

Indian companies should do a serious assessment on whether they are gaining or losing by filing a large number of anti-dumping cases against foreign companies and potential suppliers, more so as it invited retaliation from overseas in the form on large number of cases filed against Indian goods.

"There cannot be reform of anti-dumping laws if serious research is not done in this field. Industry should also chip in as the affected party and contribute financially to research work required for a reform of various laws and by-laws on anti-dumping," BS Chimni, vice-chancellor of the National University of Juridical Science said at a seminar on anti-dumping organised by Ficci in Kolkata.

The study should assess the harm being done to the consumers and the economy as a result of dumping, which might lead to the death of some industrial units.

But the danger was that winning anti-dumping cases might benefit a small segment of inefficient businesses and this meant larger economic losses.

"The country needs more legal professionals with requisite skill to handle such cases - most being fought now by Indian companies are being pleaded by foreign lawyers," he added.

According to the directorate of anti-dumping and allied duties, 86 anti-dumping cases were registered against exports made from India since 1995.

European Union, USA, Canada and South Africa accounted for 60 per cent of the cases initiated, with EU topping the chart with 26 initiations, followed by USA at 18. South Africa initiated 16 cases while Indonesia accounted for 10 per cent . China initiated two cases of anti-dumping against India.

On the other hand, Indians initiated 167 anti dumping cases against foreign companies of which 71 were against China, followed by 49 EU, 27 against Korea and 23 on Japan.

In 2003-04, just 14 cases were registered.