On 15 October 2014, Tunisia notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 30 September 2014 two safeguard investigations: one on fibreboard of wood (MDF), classifiable under tariff subheadings 4411.14.10.091, 4411.12.10.091 and 4411.13.10.096 and the other on glass bottles, classifiable under tariff subheadings 7010.90.311.11, 7010.903.11.33, 7010.90.41.013, 7010.90.43.019, 7010.90.45.015, 7010.90.7011, 7010.90.51.017, 7010.90.53.013, 7010.90.55.019, 7010.90.57.015, 7010.90.91.115, 7010.90.91.911, 7010.90.99.119, and 7010.90.99.211. If you are exporting to these countries, you should gather as much information as you can on the investigations and provide comment.
The investigation on the fibreboard on wood was initiated by the Ministry of Trade and Crafts pursuant to Law No. 98-106 of 18 December 1998 on import safeguard measures, following a complaint made by the company Les Grands Ateliers du Nord (GAN), in its capacity as the sole producer of medium density fibreboard (MDF). Imports of medium density fibreboard (MDF) rose from 6 193 m3 (4 954 tonnes) in 2009 to 31 673 m3 (25,338 tonnes) in 2013, while domestic production fell by 14% and local market sales by 25% during the 2012-2013 period. The complainant has provided evidence of a decline in its activity during the 2010-2013 period. This period was indeed marked by a drop in production, sales volume, profitability and market share. A preliminary study of the complaint has been carried out by the relevant services of the Ministry of Trade and Crafts. This study shows evidence to warrant the initiation of a safeguard investigation on fibreboard on wood.
The investigation on glass bottles was initiated by the Ministry of Trade and Crafts pursuant to Law No. 98-106 of 18 December 1998 on import safeguard measures, following a complaint made by the Société Tunisienne de Verrerie (SOTUVER), in its capacity as the sole producer of glass bottles. Imports of glass bottles rose from 8 455 tonnes in 2009 to 13 457 tonnes in 2013, while local market sales remained static between 2011 and 2013. The complainant has provided evidence of a decline in its activity during the 2011-2013 period. This period was indeed marked by a static sales volume and the stagnation of profitability, market share and effective production capacity utilisation rates, while glass bottle stock levels significantly increased. A preliminary study of the complaint has been carried out by the relevant services of the Ministry of Trade and Crafts. This study shows evidence to warrant the initiation of a safeguard investigation on glass bottles.
Comment is due by 15 November 2014.