The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac), on February 27, initiated an investigation into the extension of safeguard duties against increased imports of threaded iron and steel fasteners.
The application was lodged by the South African Fasteners Manufacturers' Association (Safma) on behalf of its members. Safma members constitute more than 80% of the total Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) industry by production volume.
Itac says it notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO), other countries, exporters and importers with a significant interest in the import and export of threaded fasteners, who, in turn, submitted their comments.
After considering all interested parties' comments received, the commission says it has made a final determination that the expiry of the safeguard duty is likely to lead to the recurrence of serious injury and that there is evidence that the Sacu industry is adjusting.
The commission says it made various recommendations to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau.
