Initiation of Safeguard Investigation with Regard to Ceramic Floor & Wall Tiles Products Imported into Malaysia

On 16 July 2020, the Government of Malaysia received a petition from the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers - Malaysian Ceramic Industry Group representing the domestic industry requesting for a global safeguard investigation on imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles products into Malaysia. The Petitioner alleged that the increase in imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles products in absolute terms and relative to  domestic production from 2017 to 2019 have caused serious injury to the domestic  industry in Malaysia producing the like products. 

The Government has decided that there is sufficient evidence of serious injury caused by increased imports to initiate a safeguard investigation on imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles products into Malaysia commencing on 13 September 2020. 

In accordance with the Safeguards Act 2006 and its related Regulations, a preliminary determination will be made within 120 days from the date of initiation. If the preliminary determination is affirmative, the Government will impose a provisional safeguard duty at the rate that is necessary to reduce the effects of serious injury to the domestic industry caused by the imports. 

In connection with this investigation, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) will provide a set of questionnaires to interested parties such as importers, foreign producers, exporters and associations. Other interested parties may request for the  questionnaires in writing to MITI no later than 28 September 2020. Interested parties may also provide views and additional evidence to MITI by 13 October 2020 to support this investigation. In the event no additional information is received within the specified  period, the Government will make its preliminary determination based on available  facts and information.