Egypt has decided to begin protectionist measures to face a sudden rise in automotive batteries imports in a bid to embolden local production, the Trade and Industry Ministry said Thursday.
Minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour said the decision seeks to “protect local industry, importers and consumers from harmful world trade practices,” adding that his country would use rights stipulated in international law and World Trade Organization agreements as well as local laws to protect the national product.
Ibrahim al-Segeiny, head of the ministry’s anti-dumping department, said his office had received complaints from Chloride Egypt about “a sudden surge in automotive batteries imports from various world countries,” adding that the company decried the rise as highly harmful to the national industry. Segeiny said he would begin investigating the complaint and inform the World Trade Organization about the measure so as to enable exporters, importers and foreign governments to submit their legal arguments within the specified time limits.
Hearing sessions can be held at the request of concerned parties, before a final decision on protectionism fees is issued, Segeiny added.
