Zimbabwe initiates safeguard investigation on pasta products

In the notification Zimbabwe indicated, among other things, as follows:

" 8. Interested parties

Interested parties desiring to participate in the investigation shall have a period of 30 days from the date of initiation to indicate to the Investigating Authority in writing their interest in participating in the investigation. Comments from interested parties should be submitted within 30 days from the date of initiation of the investigation. Requests for an oral hearing should be submitted in writing to the Commission at the address below within 30 days from the date of the investigation's initiation. stating the reasons for not relying solely on written submissions. No request for an oral hearing will be considered more than 60 days from the date of this initiation notice.

At the time of the request for an oral hearing, parties must provide the Commission with a detailed agenda and a complete version of all information to be discussed. including a non-confidential version if the information contains a confidential component. In the case of non-responses or late submissions, decisions will be made based on the best available information. Public hearings may be held either at the request of interested parties or at the discretion of the Commission, allowing parties to present evidence and comments, respond to the presentations of others, and defend their interests.

9. Further information

Requests for further information and correspondence regarding the investigation must be sent to:

The Director

Competition and Tariff Commission

23 Broadlands Road, Emerald Hill

Harare

Zimbabwe

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.competition.co.zw."

The notification is available in G/SG/N/6/ZWE/4.

What is a safeguard investigation?

A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or are threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.

During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties.

A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.