REPORT OF FINDINGS ON THE ANTI-DUMPING PROTEST

AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF STEEL BILLETS FROM RUSSIA

(HS HEADING NOS. 7207.11 90 & 7207.20 90)
UNDER SECTION 301 OF THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMS CODE, AS
AMENDED (ANTI-DUMPING INV. NO. 99-01)
28 August 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Tables and Annexes

Abbreviations/Legends

1. Executive Summary and Conclusions

2. Introduction
3. The Commission’s Inquiry
4. The Domestic Industry and Market Dumping
5. The Economic Condition of the Domestic Industry
6. Final Determination

LIST OF TABLES AND ANNEXES

Tables

1-A - Required Percentage Chemical Composition

1-B - Required Percentage Chemical Composition
1-C - Required Percentage Chemical Composition
2 - Specific Importations of Steel Billets from Russia
3 - Tariff Rates of Steel Billets
4 - The Philippine Market for Steel Billets
5 - Export Prices by Exporter: 1998
6 - Normal Values (FOB)
7 - Dumping Margins by Exporter
8 - Volume of Dumped Imports
9 - Volume of Dumped Imports Vis-à-vis Domestic Consumption and
Production 10 - Market Shares
11 - Trends in Sales of Steel Billets
12 - Trends in Production, Capacity Utilization and Inventory
13 - Breakdown of Production Cost

Annexes

"A" - Computation of Dumping Margins by Exporter

ABBREVIATIONS/LEGENDS
Amalgamated Amalgamated Iron Works, Inc.
APSMI Association of Philippine Steel Mills, Incorporated ASTM American
Society of Testing Materials
BIS Bureau of Import Services
BOC Bureau of Customs
CAPASCO athay Pacific Steel Corporation
CRF Clean Report of Findings
Commission Tariff Commission
D.O. Department Order
DOF Department of Finance
DOLE Department of Labor and Employment
DTI Department of Trade and Industry
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
Hottick Hottick Investments Limited
MECHEL Chelyabinsk Integrated Iron and Steel Works
Milwaukee Milwaukee Industries Corporation
MT Metric Tons
NSC National Steel Corporation
NSO National Statistics Office
OSG Office of the Solicitor General
PNS Philippine National Standards
Pag-Asa Pag-Asa Steel Works, Inc.
POI Period of Investigation
PSRMA Philippine Steel Rolling Mills Association
R.A. Republic Act
SKK SKK Steel Corporation
SAMC Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation
SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance
TCCP Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

1.1 SUMMARY

On 11 January 1999, National Steel Corporation (NSC) filed with the Department of
Finance (DOF) a dumping protest against the importation of steel billets from Russia.
The protest was supported by three other local billet manufacturers, namely, SKK Steel
Corporation (SKK), Milwaukee Industries Corporation (Milwaukee) and Amalgamated
Iron Works, Inc. (Amalgamated).

The protest was endorsed by the DOF to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS) of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on 30 March 1999 for initial investigation. In its
Initiation Report, the DTI-BIS found the information supporting the petition of NSC as
constituting a prima facie case and recommended the initiation of a preliminary anti-
dumping investigation. The notice of initiation of preliminary investigation was published
on 28 May 1999 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila in.

On 2 August 1999, the DTI-BIS issued its report of positive preliminary findings against
seventeen (17) exporters of steel billets from Russia with the recommendation for the
imposition of a provisional measure (anti-dumping bond) ranging from 5.51% to 29.91%
of the export price.

Pursuant to Section 301 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, the DTI-BIS
endorsed the protest together with its findings to the Tariff Commission on 9 August
1999 for formal investigation to determine the merits of imposing a definitive anti
dumping duty.

In compliance with procedural requirements, notices were sent to the Philippine

Embassy in Moscow, Russia and the Russian Embassy in Makati City, Philippines
informing the respective Ambassadors that the case is with the Commission for formal
investigation. Individual notifications with attached questionnaires were also sent to the
protestant, other domestic producers of steel billets, Philippine importers, trader
exporters, Russian manufacturers/exporters, and other interested parties. Also notified,
through their embassies in Manila, were the governments of the trading firms whose
billet exports from Russia were subject to provisional measures. Invitations to the
consultation and pre-hearing conference were likewise sent to all interested parties. A
notice of public hearing was published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation on
22 December 1999. All known interested parties and concerned government agencies
were also sent individual notices.

The product under consideration is steel billets containing by weight 0.01% or more but
less than 0.25% of carbon falling under HS Subheading 7207.11 90 and steel billets
containing by weight 0.25% or more of carbon classified under HS Subheading 7207.20
90. Billets are generally used in the production of reinforcing bars and wire rods.

The Commission’s investigation covered imports of steel billets for the 12-month period
from 01 January to 31 December 1998.

1.2 CONCLUSIONS

1.2.1 Domestic Industry Support

There are five (5) domestic manufacturers of steel billets: NSC, Cathay Pacific Steel
Corporation (CAPASCO), Amalgamated, Milwaukee and SKK. Although the latter three
(3) producers supported the anti-dumping protest filed by NSC, they failed to comply
with the necessary documentary and/or evidentiary requirements necessary for the
determination of dumping, material injury and causality, both during the preliminary
determination by the DTI-BIS and the formal investigation by the Commission.

The DTI-BIS, having established that NSC accounted for 26% of total domestic
production, considered the requirement for domestic industry support satisfied. Further,
the DTI-BIS considered NSC as the only company representing the domestic steel
billets industry.

In its Resolution of 04 February 2000, the Commission adopted the aforementioned

position of the DTI-BIS and ruled that only NSC’s submission would be considered.

1.2.2 Like Product

Based on an assessment of the product under consideration and locally-manufactured

billets, the Commission is satisfied that domestically-produced steel billets of cross
sectional dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm, with lengths ranging from 3 meters to 6
meters, and conforming to PNS 230 (ASTM 33), PNS 275 (ASTM 40) and PNS 415
(ASTM 60) constitute like products to the imported product under consideration, i.e.,
Russian steel billets with cross-sectional dimensions of 60 mm x 60 mm up to 120 mm x
120 mm, of lengths of 4 meters up to 12 meters, and conforming to 5SP/PS GOST 380
or its equivalent in other national standards.

The imported and locally produced products are comparable in terms of quality, are
used interchangeably in the production of Grade 230, Grade 275, and Grade 415
reinforcing bars with 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 28 mm
diameters, and are classified under the same HS Subheading Nos. 7207.11 90 and
7207.20 90.

1.2.3 Price Difference

Export Price

The Commission based its estimates of export prices on import entries submitted by
NSC and on file with the Commission which were validated using the Clean Report of
Findings (CRFs) provided by the Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS). Adjusted to
FOB level (i.e., CIF value less freight and insurance), export prices ranged from
US$109.50/MT to US$204.50/MT.

Normal Value

The Commission was unable to determine the normal value of steel billets based on
domestic selling prices and/or cost of production in Russia due to unavailability of data.
A certification from the Philippine Embassy in Russia submitted by NSC stated that the
bulk of steel billets produced by Russian steel mills are utilized for their own or affiliated
mills’ consumption.

Using the best-information-available option, the Commission based its estimates of

normal values on the FOB export prices of steel billets by Russia as published in 1998
issues of Metal
in. Based on port of origin, the estimated normal values are: Far East Port --
US$140.00/MT to US$195.00/MT and Black/Baltic Sea Ports -- US$145.00/MT to
US$200.50/MT

Dumping Margin

Of the thirty-seven (37) identified exporters of steel billets from Russia during the POI,
eleven (11) had dumping margins that were not de minimis. These margins ranged from
US$2.19/MT to US$22.72/MT.

1.2.4 Negligible Volume of Dumped Imports

Dumped imports accounted for 22% of total Philippine imports of steel billets in 1998.
Since the share of dumped imports is above 3%, same is not negligible.

1.2.5 Material Injury and Causal Linkage

Volume of Dumped Imports

Total Philippine imports of steel billets from Russia amounted to 396,000 MT in 1998.
Relative to domestic consumption, dumped imports accounted for 17% of the domestic
market. With respect to domestic production, dumped imports represented 73% of
NSC’s 1998 production level.

Price Effects

A comparison of the average ex-factory domestic selling price of steel billets produced
by NSC and the average landed cost of dumped imports of steel billets from Russia
showed price undercutting by the latter in the 2nd and 4th quarters of 1998. The
average landed cost of dumped steel billets was 2.45% lower in the 2nd quarter and
11.31% lower in the final quarter. The magnitude of undercutting in the 4th quarter was
influenced by the large devaluation of the Russian Ruble in September 1998.

NSC’s selling prices steadily decreased from the 2nd quarter to the 4th quarter despite
relatively stable production costs in the first three quarters. Price depression, particularly
evident in the 2nd quarter when NSC’s price dropped by 8%, led to a lower profit margin
in the 2nd quarter and a loss in the 3rd quarter.

Price suppression occurred in the 3rd and 4th quarters when NSC’s selling prices
declined despite increases in the cost to produce and sell. During these quarters, selling
prices fell below cost. Suppression was pronounced in the 4th quarter when NSC’s
selling price fell by 7% despite an increase in production cost of 11%. NSC’s loss grew
during this period.

The incidence of price depression and suppression cannot be attributed entirely to the
dumping of Russian billets. Imports of billets from other countries also exerted
competitive pressure on NSC. Russia remained the price leader, however, supplying
58% of total imports during the POI while other countries individually accounted for only
6% or less.

Market Share

NSC’s share of the domestic market for steel billets was 20% in 1996. This increased to
25% in 1997 then fell to 24% in 1998. The market was contracting over the three-year
period.

That its market share was reduced only slightly was made possible through the
remedial pricing strategies NSC adopted. Analysis of the quarterly movements in
market shares show that NSC was able to defend its share against non-dumped imports
but was unsuccessful against dumped imports.

Sales

In 1997, sales of NSC rose by 11% despite a 9% contraction of the market. In 1998
when dumping occurred, sales of NSC paralleled the change in market size. Moreover,
the 36% reduction in its sales was greater than the 24% contraction of the market.

The entry of dumped imports in the 1st quarter reduced NSC’s sales by more than half
relative to average quarterly sales in 1997. In the 3rd and 4th quarters, the decreases in
NSC’s sales were invariably greater than the contraction of dumped imports despite the
company’s suppressed prices. This indicates that NSC’s prices remained uncompetitive
vis-à-vis dumped imports leading to a significant restrictive effect on the company’s
sales.

Production, Capacity Utilization and Inventory

NSC’s production decreased by 2% in 1997 and 29% in 1998. Production in 1998 was
affected by NSC’s shutdown for a total of 84 days for inventory control and power
allocation purposes. With annual rated capacity of 300,000 MT, utilization dropped to
69% accordingly.

The reduction in production volumes led to declines in inventory

levels. Cost of Production

The cost of producing a metric ton of steel billets in 1998 was 15.47% higher than the
1997 level. This increase was partly attributable to the increase in the price of its direct
material (scrap) and other conversion costs (i.e., fixed and transfer cost) which
constituted 60% and 13% of total production cost, respectively.

Despite the huge increase in production cost, NSC did not adjust its selling prices
upward. On the contrary, its prices were suppressed to defend its sales and market
share from dumped and non-dumped imports.

Profitability

NSC suffered a loss of P124 million from its billet operations in 1996 but recovered in
1997, generating income (EBIT) of P75 million. In 1998, NSC incurred another loss
which was more than triple the 1996 level. This loss is attributable to the increase in
production cost combined with depressed prices and reduced sales. Since the dumping
of Russian billets had a negative impact on sales and significantly influenced NSC’s
pricing, it was an important contributory factor to the net loss sustained by NSC in 1998.

Cash Flow

The drop in sales revenue in 1998 by 30% contributed markedly to NSC’s liquidity
problem. The revenue lost could have been used to fund working capital requirements
(e.g., purchase of steel scrap for its billet production). Since dumping had a significant
dampening effect on NSC’s sales, it aggravated the company’s cash flow problems.

Investment and Ability to Raise Capital

NSC’s inability to generate investment and raise capital is traceable to internal problems
which include enormous debt, high interest cost, foreign exchange losses, high cost of
scrap, high operating costs, and a shortage of working capital.

Employment and Wages

The total workforce in billet operations was 158 as of November 1998 as against 190 in
1997. The retrenchment of thirty-two (32) employees was caused by the reduction in
production and sales on which dumping had material influence.

Factors Other Than Dumping Which Caused Injury

a. Competition from Normal (Undumped) Import

Normal imports of steel billets provided stiff competition to the domestic industry as
shown by their market performance. Imports of billets from other countries gained an
increasing share of the market from 1996 to 1998 although Russia remained the
dominant player. Competition was heightened by the decrease in the tariff rate on billets
and the realignment of currency values in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial
crisis.

b. Undumped imports of billets from Russia as well as billets sourced from other
countries were priced lower than billets from NSC.

Market Contraction
Unfavorable economic conditions ensuing from the Asian financial crisis that broke in
1997 dampened demand and depressed prices. The Philippine market for steel billets
contracted by 9% and 34% in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

High Cost of Production

NSC has a cost disadvantage in the production of steel billets arising from the lack of
iron ore; expensive imported scrap and low-yield local scrap (same constituting 60% of
total production cost); and relatively higher electricity costs and lower level of
technology.

Financial Performance

In 1996, NSC incurred a loss of P2.032 billion due to the revaluation of assets as
required by incoming investor Hottick Investment Ltd. In 1997, EBIT amounting to
P0.780 billion was realized. The company incurred another loss in 1998 with
corresponding negative returns on sales, assets and stockholders’ equity. This loss was
due mainly to the reduction in net sales by 29%.

The relative share of billet operations to NSC’s overall operations was 21% in

1998. Foreign Currency Losses

In 1997, NSC incurred total foreign currency losses of about P2.5 billion. Of this
amount, some P1.2 billion were capitalized and included as part of construction costs of
the company’s plant facilities and installation of machinery and equipment and about
P861 million were charged to the deficit account.

In 1998, a total of 154.9 million in foreign currency losses was again capitalized and
included as part of construction costs of the company’s plant facilities and installation of
machinery and equipment.

1.3 APPLICATION OF PROCEDURAL MATTERS UNDER R.A. 8752 (ANTI

DUMPING ACT OF 1999)

R.A. 8752 which amends Section 301 of the TCCP was signed into law by the President
on 12 August 1999. The R.A. took effect on 4 September 1999, fifteen (15) days
following its publication on 19 August 1999 in Malaya and the Philippine Standard.

Procedural provisions of RA 8752 are applicable to the instant anti-dumping case. In

Republic vs. Court of Appeals, G. R. No. 92326, 24 January 1992, the Court held:

"Procedural matters are governed by the law in force when they arise, and procedural
statutes are generally retroactive in that they apply to pending proceedings and are not
confined to those begun after their enactment although, with respect to such pending
proceedings, they affect only procedural steps taken after their enactment." (205 SCRA
356).

1.4 FINAL DETERMINATION

The Commission finds positive evidence of price differences and is satisfied that
dumping per se caused material injury to the domestic industry.

It is therefore ordered that definitive anti-dumping duties be imposed on the following

exporters of steel billets originating from Russia:
With regard to those exporters or producers in the exporting country in question who
have not exported the product to the Philippines during the POI, their individual margins
of dumping shall be determined following a review to be initiated by the Commission
and carried out on an accelerated basis, provided that said producers or exporters can
show that they are not related to any of the exporters or producers in the exporting
country who are subject to the anti-dumping duties on the product. No anti-dumping
duties shall be levied on imports from such producers or exporters while the review is
being carried out.

1.5 SUSPENSION OF IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTY

Article 9.1 of the Agreement provides:

"The decision whether or not to impose an anti-dumping duty in cases where all
requirements for the imposition have been fulfilled, and the decision whether the
amount of the anti-dumping duty to be imposed shall be the full margin of dumping or
less, are decisions to be made by the authorities of the importing Member. It is desirable
that the imposition be permissive in the territory of all Members, and that the duty be
less than the margin if such lesser duty would be adequate to remove the injury to the
domestic industry."

Following an ocular inspection conducted on 8 November 1999 revealing the non

operation of NSC, the Commission orders the suspension of the imposition of the
prescribed definitive anti-dumping duties until such time that NSC can show proof that
its Billets Division is already on a normal operation status. With respect to the four (4)
other producers of steel billets, the elements of material injury and causality were not
established.

1.6 REVIEW OF THE ANTI-DUMPING DUTY

Paragraph (O) of Section 301 of the TCCP, as amended by R.A. 8752, states that:

"However, the need for the continued imposition of the anti-dumping duty may be
reviewed by the Commission when warranted motu proprio, or upon the direction of the
Secretary, taking into consideration the need to protect the domestic industry against
dumping."

"If the Commission determines that the anti-dumping duty is no longer necessary or
warranted, the Secretary shall, upon its recommendation issue a Department Order
immediately terminating the imposition of anti-dumping duty."

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 THE ANTI-DUMPING PROTEST

On 11 January 1999, National Steel Corporation (NSC) filed with the Department of
Finance (DOF) a dumping protest against the importation of steel billets from Russia.
The protest was supported by three other local billet manufacturers, namely, SKK Steel
Corporation (SKK), Milwaukee Industries Corporation (Milwaukee) and Amalgamated
Iron Works, Inc. (Amalgamated).

The protest was endorsed by the DOF to the Bureau of Import Services (BIS) of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on 30 March 1999 for initial investigation. In its
Initiation Report, the DTI-BIS found the information supporting the petition of NSC as
constituting a prima facie case and recommended the initiation of a preliminary anti
dumping investigation. Notice of initiation of preliminary investigation was published on
28 May 1999 in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila

in.

On 12 August 1999, notice of affirmative findings of dumping and application of

provisional measures was published by the BIS in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation. As stated in the public notice, anti-dumping bonds ranging from 5.51% to
29.91% of the export price would be imposed against seventeen (17) identified and
other exporters of Russian steel billets. Subsequently, the DOF directed the Bureau of
Customs (BOC), in its Indorsement of 13 August 1999, to collect said dumping bond.

On 9 August 1999, the Tariff Commission (Commission) received the request from the
BIS to undertake formal investigation of the case.

2.2 THE ROLE OF THE TARIFF COMMISSION

Upon endorsement of the case by the DTI-BIS, the Commission conducted a formal
investigation to determine the merits of imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty. This
investigation is pursuant to Section 301 (b) of the Tariff and Customs Code of the
Philippines (TCCP), as amended by Republic Act (R.A.) 7843 and further amended by
R.A. 8752, as implemented by DOF Department Order (D.O.) No. 150-95, and in
accordance with Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.
The Commission’s investigation focused on the following:

- verifying if the kind or class of article in question was imported into or sold or was likely
to be sold in the Philippines at a price less than its normal value;

- ascertaining the difference, if any, between the export price and the normal value of
the article; and

- determining if, as a result thereof, the domestic industry producing like articles in the
Philippines suffered, or was threatened with, injury or suffered material retardation of
the establishment of the domestic industry was caused. 2.3 THE PROCESS OF
INVESTIGATION

The investigation involved the following:

- identification of concerned parties, local and foreign;

- notification of concerned foreign governments and distribution of questionnaires to all

parties;

- conduct of consultation, pre-hearing conference and public hearings;

- collection of relevant economic and financial data such as production, imports, sales,
pricing, inventory level, employment, etc.;
- ocular inspection of local billet shops as well as rebar manufacturing

plants; - verification of data and submissions of parties;

- acceptance and evaluation of memoranda of parties;

- determination of the existence of dumping and if the existence of such dumping

caused, or is likely to cause, material injury to the local industry;

- disclosure to all interested parties of the essential facts which formed the basis for the
decision to apply definitive measures; and

- preparation of report of final determination and submission of such to the Secretary of

Trade and Industry for the issuance of the necessary D.O. imposing the definitive anti
dumping duty.

2.4 INTERLOCUTORY MATTERS

On 15 January 2000, counsel for importers-protestees filed a Petition for Review on

Certiorari with prayer for temporary restraining order/ preliminary injunction before the
Court of Appeals against a Resolution of the Commission dated 14 December 2000.
Said Resolution denied the Motion for Reconsideration dated 25 August 1999 filed by
protestees with the BIS, and subsequently endorsed to the Commission, on the
affirmative finding of dumping and application of provisional measures by the BIS.

The Office of the Solicitor-General filed its Comments on 15 July 2000. The case
remains pending with the Court.

2.5 SCOPE OF THE ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION

The investigation covered the importation of steel billets from Russia which might have
injured, was likely to injure, or might have retarded the establishment of, an industry
producing like product in the Philippines.

3. THE COMMISSION’S INQUIRY

3.1 PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION

The product subject of the anti-dumping protest is hereafter referred to as the "product
under consideration."

Steel billets are semi-finished steel products obtained by hot-rolling puddled bars,
pilings and ingots. These are nearly square in cross-section and are used for re-rolling
and drawing into bars, rods, wire rods, and arc wires. Steel billets are used as raw
materials by steel rolling mills producing steel bars and wire rods.

The goods covered by the original protest are steel billets from Russia which were
imported in different sizes as follows: 60 mm x 60 mm x 4.0 meters to 9.0 meters; 65
mm x 65 mm x 9 meters; 80 mm x 80 mm x 9 meters to 11.7 meters; and 100 mm x 100
mm x 1meter to 11.8 meters.

In its preliminary investigation, the BIS determined the like product to be "steel billets
with typical square section of 100 mm x 100 mm in lengths of 3 meters to 6 meters with
carbon content of 0.13% to 0.38% and are used for the production of 8 mm, 10 mm, 12
mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 28 mm rebars of Structural, Grade 275 and Grade 415
varieties."

3.2 PERIOD OF INVESTIGATION

For the determination of dumping, the Commission’s investigation covered imports of

steel billets from Russia during the 12-month period beginning 01 January 1998 and
ending 31 December 1998. For the assessment of injury, the period of investigation
(POI) was the three-year interval from 1996 to 1998.

3.3 NOTIFICATIONS

3.3.1 Formal Investigation/Questionnaires

On 23 August 1999, notifications were sent to Ambassador Anatoli Khmelnitski of the

Embassy of Russia and Philippine Ambassador to Russia Jaime S. Bautista informing
them of the Commission’s formal investigation of the anti-dumping protest filed by NSC.
Likewise notified, through their embassies in Manila, were the governments of the
trading firms whose exports of billets from Russia were subject to provisional measures.

Individual notifications with attached questionnaires were also sent to NSC, four (4)
domestic manufacturers, forty-eight (48) exporters, and thirty-one (31) importers.
Parties were given thirty (30) days from receipt of the questionnaire to accomplish and
return same to the Commission.
3.3.2 Consultation

Along with the notification of formal investigation on 23 August 1999, the various parties
were informed of a consultation for the purpose of exploring the possibility of amicable
settlement/price undertaking and to apprise the parties on the procedure of investigation
and other related matters necessary for the speedy disposition of the case. Held on 27
August 1999, the consultation was attended by the legal counsels and/or
representatives of both protestant (NSC) and protestees (importers and exporters) plus
a representative from the Russian Embassy.

3.3.3 Pre-Hearing Conference

Invitations to a pre-hearing conference were sent on 25 and 26 October 1999 for

purposes of setting the schedule and procedures of the public hearing, for obtaining
stipulation and admission of facts and documentary evidence, and to discuss other
relevant matters necessary for the expeditious and/or otherwise orderly conduct of the
hearings. The pre-hearing conference was held on 29 October 1999 and was attended
by the legal counsels and/or representatives of protestant and protestees.

It was agreed during the conference that parties would submit their respective
evidences for assessment and evaluation by the Commission prior to the conduct of the
public hearings. The following deadlines were agreed upon: 5 November 1999 -
evidence on product comparability; 19 November 1999 – evidence on normal value,
export price, and the economy of Russia; and 10 December 1999 – evidence on injury
and causality.

Ten (10) hearing dates were also set, all in the month of January 2000. The specific
dates were: 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, and 26 January 2000.

3.3.4 Public Hearing

Notice of public hearing was published on 22 December 1999 in the Philippine Star and
Today. All known interested parties and concerned government agencies were also
sent individual notices.

A total of five (5) public hearings were conducted (on 10, 14 and 17 January and on 7
and 28 February 2000) during which the legal counsels and representatives of the
protestant and protestees were in attendance. Principal memoranda were submitted by
protestant and protestees on 23 March 2000 and 24 March 2000, respectively. No
counter-memoranda were filed.

3.3.5 Ocular Inspection and Verification of Information

Ocular inspection of manufacturing facilities and/or verification of information

submitted were conducted for these six (6) firms agreeable to such: NSC, SKK,
Milwaukee,
Cathay Pacific Steel Corporation (CAPASCO), Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation
(SAMC), and Pag-Asa Steel Works, Inc. (Pag-Asa).

3.4 BASIS OF INQUIRY

For purposes of final determination, the Commission limited its investigation according
to the provisions of Section 6.10 of the Agreement which state:

"Authorities may limit their examination either to a reasonable number of interested

parties or products by using samples which are statistically valid on the basis of
information available to the authorities at the time of the selection, or to the largest
percentage of volume of the exports from the country in question which can be
reasonably investigated."

Furthermore, parties who failed to submit answers to the questionnaires were governed
by the provisions of Section 6.8 of the Agreement which provide:

"In cases in which any interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not
provide, necessary information within a reasonable period or significantly impedes the
investigation, preliminary and final determinations, affirmative or negative, may be made
on the basis of facts available…"

3.5 DOMESTIC PRODUCERS

3.5.1 National Steel Corporation

NSC is one of the country’s largest manufacturing companies and is a pioneer in the
iron and steel industry. It has four major operating facilities: an electrolytic tinning line
producing tinplates; a hot mill producing hot-rolled coils and plates; a cold mill producing
cold-rolled coils and tin mill black plates; and a billet shop producing steel billets.

NSC’s main office is at the NSC Bldg., 377 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Its
plant is located along Tominobo National Highway, Camp Overton, Suarez, Iligan City.
At the time of its shutdown on 7 November 1999, NSC was majority-owned by
Malaysian firm Hottick Investments Limited (Hottick).

Major Positions/Issues

Russia is a non-market economy. The Philippine Embassy in Russia reported that the
bulk of steel billets produced by Russian steel mills are utilized by their own affiliated
mills and are not sold in the domestic market. The Embassy has also been unable to
get reliable information on the domestic price or Home Consumption Value of steel
billets in Russia for 1998. In several anti-dumping investigations conducted by the
United States, the Russian Federation was treated as a non-market economy country.

The appropriate surrogate country to determine normal value is Turkey since: (a) it is at
a comparable level of economic development with Russia, (b) it is a significant producer
of steel billets similar to Russia, and (c) the United States has ruled and chosen Turkey
as the most appropriate surrogate country for Russia in its anti-dumping investigations
because of comparability in terms of overall economic development with Russia.

The normal value of Russian steel billets based on the known published export price of
steel billets from Turkey in 1998 is $155/ metric ton to $235/metric ton.

Local producers of steel bars interchangeably utilize Russian or locally produced billets
attesting to the comparability of these products. Tests conducted on the resulting
physical properties and chemistry of steel bars produced from either Russian or local
billets give very similar results. Steel bars produced from local billets comply and
conform to Philippine National Standards.

The importation of Russian steel billets has adversely affected the profitability and
financial viability of NSC. NSC was forced to price its steel billets at below cost in order
to remain competitive price-wise with Russian billets, NSC’s sales volumes were
reduced, and net losses were sustained from 1996 to 1998. Answers to Questionnaire

Although NSC failed to respond to the Commission’s questionnaire, it manifested its

adoption of its earlier submission to the BIS. NSC also submitted affidavits on normal
value, product comparability, injury, causal link, and the economy of Russia.

Ocular Inspection

Ocular inspections of NSC’s billet shop in Iligan City were conducted on 16-17
September 1999 and 8-9 November 1999. During the initial inspection, the Commission
discovered no operation in the billet shop. The team was informed that the shop had
been temporarily closed since 7 September 1999 due to the shortage of steel scraps
used as raw material. It was expected, however, that operation would resume in
October. At the second inspection, the Commission was informed that the billet shop
was shut down on 2 November 1999.

The information that follows was based on inspection of the actual facilities, examination
of documents/records, and discussions with NSC plant personnel:

NSC’s billet shop is ISO-certified. The plant has a cooling table designed for seven (7)
meter long billets and has two (2) electric arc furnaces which produce 100 mm x 100
mm x 3 meters to 6 meters steel billets (Commercial size billets). The annual rated
capacity is 300,000 metric tons (MT).

NSC can produce billets longer than six (6) meters but this will require a major overhaul
of the operation, substantial investments, temporary interruption of operation, and time
to change the capability design of the plant.

The billet manufacturing process follows modern routing wherein steel billets are
manufactured from classified and well-segregated scrap in the electric arc furnaces.
NSC used coke, iron and steel scraps, hot briquetted iron (HBI) and direct reduced iron
(DRI) as raw materials. About 40% of NSC’s steel scrap requirements were imported.

There were 152 personnel when the shop was shut down on 2 November

1999. Verification of Information

Verification of information submitted by NSC was conducted on 13, 18 and 19 January

2000, and 14 and 15 February 2000.

3.5.2 Cathay Pacific Steel Corporation

CAPASCO’s main office is located at the 25th Floor, Galleria Corporate Center, EDSA
corner Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City. Its billet-making plant may be found at F.P. Felix
Avenue, Cainta, Rizal.

Major Positions/Issues

Being both a producer and importer of steel billets, CAPASCO manifested that local and
imported billets have comparable quality. It is the chemical composition of a billet that is
critical, i.e., whether the standard for the level of undesirable elements present in a billet
is met.

From the second half of 1998 up to early 1999, it was more economical to import rather
than manufacture billets.

Answers to Questionnaire

The Commission sent two questionnaires: a Domestic Manufacturer’s Questionnaire

and an Importer’s Questionnaire. CAPASCO responded only to the latter: its response
was received by the Commission on 24 September 1999.
Ocular Inspection

An ocular inspection of CAPASCO’s billet shop in Cainta was conducted on 6 October

1999. Below are the major findings:

The firm is both a producer and importer of steel billets. CAPASCO consumes its entire
billet production for its rebar and wire rod production. It imports billets because its billet
output is insufficient.

The company has two (2) electric arc furnaces with maximum capacities of 30 tons
each. The furnace in the Cainta plant has an annual capacity of 230,000 tons. The other
furnace is located in a plant in Taguig with an annual capacity of 70,000 tons.
To produce billets, the firm imports hot briquetted iron (HBI) and direct reduced iron
(DRI) from China, India and Sabah while pig iron is imported from China. Domestic
scrap is also used.

The firm’s billets are used to produce structural (Grade 33), Grade 40 and Grade 60
rebars.

The rolling mill furnace in the Cainta plant requires three (3) meter billets. Imported
billets of greater lengths are cut to meet the three (3) meter requirement.

3.5.3 Milwaukee Steel Corporation

Milwaukee’s billet shop and rolling mill are located in its plant in Apalit,

Pampanga. Major Positions/Issues

The company experienced difficulties due to the dumping of steel billets from Russia.
Daily production fell by half and around 40% of the labor force was retrenched due to
the decline in demand for local billets caused by dumping.

The importation of Russian steel billets caused injury to the company. Milwaukee was
unable to raise prices and was forced to sell its steel billets at the same price as
imported Russian steel billets just to maintain its sales and market share. This price was
either just enough to cover its cost of production or even below.

Answers to Questionnaire

Milwaukee did not respond to the Commission’s questionnaire and merely submitted an
affidavit on its injury from dumping. Information the company provided to the BIS and
subsequently forwarded to the Commission was limited.

Ocular Inspection

The ocular inspection of Milwaukee’s billet shop was conducted on 7 October 1999. The
following information were gathered:
- The company has both a billet shop and a rolling mill that produces

rebars. - Locally-sourced scrap is used to manufacture billets.

- The billet shop can produce up to 7,000 tons daily.

- Billets are both internally used and sold to other rolling mills.

3.5.4 SKK Steel Corporation

SKK’s billet shop is located in San Simon, Pampanga.

Major Positions/Issues

The dumping of Russian steel billets depressed demand for local billets to the extent
that the company had to shut down the operation of one of its electric arc furnaces.

The importation of Russian steel billets injured the company. To maintain its market
share and sell its billets, SKK was forced to sell its steel billets at the same price as
imported Russian steel billets. This price was either just enough to cover cost of
production or even below. As a consequence, the company sustained losses of P25
million.

Answers to Questionnaire

SKK failed to respond to the Commission’s questionnaire. Its only submission was an
affidavit attesting to its injury from dumping. Information SKK submitted to BIS and
forwarded to the Commission was limited.

Ocular Inspection

An ocular inspection was conducted on 7 October 1999. The main findings were:

- The plant has two (2) electric arc furnaces with capacities of 20 tons per heat. One
furnace is not operating.

Scrap metal procured locally serves as raw material.

- SKK’s billets are used in the production of structural (Grade 33), Grade 40 and Grade
60 rebars. The firm has been producing billets for ten (10) years.

- Production operates on three (3) shifts daily and the total number of workers is

300. 3.5.5 Amalgamated Iron Works, Inc.

Amalgamated’s main office is located at the 23rd Floor, Galleria Corporate Center,
EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City. Its billet shop may be found at 297 Pablo
dela Cruz St., San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Major Positions/Issues
The importation of Russian billets injured the company since it was forced to sell its
billets at a price that was either barely enough to cover cost of production or even below
in order to maintain its market share and sales.

The company’s inability to raise prices and its having to match the price of Russian steel
billets caused losses of P528 thousand.

Answers to Questionnaire

Amalgamated did not respond to the Commission’s questionnaire. However, it

submitted an affidavit on its injury from dumping. Information the company provided to
BIS and later forwarded to the Commission was limited.

3.5.6 Other Domestic Manufacturers

As stated in the BIS preliminary report, Phoenix Iron and Steel Corporation (PISCOR)
provided information to the BIS that its operations have been shut down since 1997.
Moreover, ESCOR, also known as Osaka Steel Manufacturing, Inc., submitted
information relevant to their importations and thus was treated by the Commission as an
importer of steel billets.

3.6 RUSSIAN MANUFACTURERS/EXPORTERS

3.6.1 Chelyabinsk Integrated Iron and Steel Works

Chelyabinsk Integrated Iron and Steel Works (MECHEL) is a major producer of special
and quality steel in Russia with total capacity of five (5) million tons of rolled bars,
forgings and flat products per year. Its production range covers stainless, high speed,
tool, spring, ball bearing, engineering, and free cutting steels and super alloys.

Located in the city of Chelyabinsk with a population of over 1.3 million people, MECHEL
is considered one of the city’s major employers. A total of 27,000 are employed with the
company.

MECHEL did not respond to the Commission’s questionnaire. However, the company,
along with Glencore International (an identified exporter), manifested through counsel
that it would adopt as evidence the consolidated reply earlier submitted by the
Philippine Steel Rolling Mills Association (PSRMA) and Association of Philippine Steel
Mills, Inc. (APSMI) to the BIS. It submitted a principal memorandum raising the following
issues:

On Product Comparability

Russian billets are superior in quality, i.e., less residual elements, superior formability
for hot and cold working, higher density, preferred isotropic microstructure and internal
soundness, due to the raw material and production process used. The resulting rebars
possess superior ductility, elongation and bending properties.

NSC's billet chemistry is quite inflexible while the Russians are willing to alter their
chemistry given enough lead-time.
For NSC to produce other billet sizes would entail high expenses which it cannot afford.

The different sizes imported from Russia are necessary because of differing mill
configurations and product requirements. Longer billets are preferred because they
allow users increased flexibility and productivity.

On Dumping

Russian export prices are within the range of world export prices.

The export prices of billets from Turkey, as surrogate country, cannot be used as
alternative normal value. The use of the Analogue Country Method is not sanctioned by
either the WTO or R.A. 8752, and under R.A. 7843, it is the normal value of the like
articles in the proxy country, and not the export price, which may be used as alternative
normal value.

The use of third country export prices (from METAL IN) as alternative normal value
gave negative dumping margins and negligible volume of dumped imports.

On Injury and Causal Linkage

There is no price undercutting since the landed cost of billets is always higher than
NSC’s selling prices.

Alleged price depression/suppression by NSC are really adjustments to (a) unfavorable

economic conditions which dampened steel demand and depressed prices and (b) the
reduction in landed cost of steel billets arising from the decrease in the tariff to 5% in
1998.

NSC's relative share of the domestic market is increasing from 1996 to 1998. Imports
from other countries are also increasing while those from Russia declined.

The declining trend of NSC's inventory proves that it has no difficulty selling same
locally. This is consistent with experience of re-rollers that NSC’s supply is inadequate,
i.e., only around 15% of demand. Billet producers themselves import indicating
inadequate local supply.

NSC's decline in output and capacity utilization is attributable to its lack of raw materials.
NSC could not purchase raw materials continuously due to lack of working capital. Its
impaired ability to raise working capital arose from its financial difficulties (e.g., it was in
default on its bank loans). NSC's mismanagement of its finances/loan obligations is the
principal cause of its financial difficulties.

A loss of P2.5 billion was incurred in 1996 due to revaluation of assets as required by
incoming investor Hottick.
Foreign exchange losses (P2.5 B in 1997) contributed to the deterioration of NSC's
financial position by increasing its peso obligations and interest.

The reduction of NSC personnel started as early as 1993-94 when major projects did
not materialize and later, as a requirement for privatization. This caused it to incur high
severance pay which affected its normal profitability.

NSC's cost of raw materials should not increase since global scrap prices are on the
decline.

NSC cannot survive without adequate tariff protection. It is non-competitive due to high
production costs arising from lack of iron ore and high electricity cost. In addition, NSC's
low/obsolete technology caused it to incur delays, expensive downtimes, reduced
capacity utilization, non-competitive costs, product defects, and low equipment
productivity.

NSC is an unreliable supplier in terms of delivery, flexibility in meeting product

specifications and assurance of quality which drove the downstream industry to
import.

The Asian financial crisis caused a realignment of currency values that made foreign
steel more price-competitive and led to rising imports. The continued devaluation of the
Russian Ruble makes Russian steel exports more competitive.

All other alleged producers of steel billets had profitable operations from 1996 to 1998
save NSC.

3.6.2 Other Exporters

The following exporters failed to respond to the Commission’s questionnaire: AIOC

Moscow; Amur Steel; Balkan Steel Int’l Establishment; Balli Steel; BCD Supplies Ltd.;
Beloretsky Met Zavod (Beloretsk Iron and Steel Works); Borelia Ltd.; Cargill Enterprises
Inc.; Crown Trade and Finance Ltd.; Daewoo Handels GMH Corp.; Donald & Macarthy
Pte. Ltd.; Glencore International AG; Klockner Steel Trade GMBH; Lebgok AG;
MacSteel Int’l, Ltd.; Magnitogorskiy Metallurgischenkiy Kombinat (Magnitogorsk Iron &
Steel); Maximet Co. Ltd.; MECHEL; Metal Russia Corp., Ltd.; Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (HK);
Moscow Met Zavod Serpi Molot; Noble Resources Corp., Ltd.; Norex St. Petersburg;
Omutninsk Metallurgical; OSKMET, Ltd.; Oskolskiy Electromellurgichesky Kombinat;
Pacific Atlantic Resources PTE, Ltd.; Preussag Handel GMBH; Primary Industries (UK)
Ltd.; Reeferway, Ltd.; Satra Metallurgical, Inc.; Severstal; Sibelectrostal Metallurgical;
Stenna Trading AB; Taco Metal Asia, Ltd.; Trade Arbed PTE, Ltd.; Transmet SPB Ltd.;
Trans-world Metals Ltd.; Truboimpex; Tse Yu Hong Metals Ltd.; UMS United Metal
Supply Ltd.; Ural Precision Alloy Works Joint Stock Co.; UVISCO, Ltd.; VANOMET AG;
Voest Alpine Intertrading AG; Volgograd Steel Works; Zap-Sib Met Kombinat; and
Zlatoustoviskiy Met Zavod.

3.7 IMPORTERS
3.7.1 Pag-Asa Steel Works, Inc.

Pag-Asa’s plant and main office may be found along Amang Eulogio Rodriquez Avenue,
Bo. Manggahan, Pasig City.

Major Positions/Issues
Imported billets are superior to local billets (e.g., less residual elements, stable level of
residual elements) and billet quality impacts greatly on the quality of the finished product
(e.g., ductility).

Longer billets are preferred because there is less wastage. The standard length of
billets imported by Pag-Asa is nine (9) meters. Thus, the firm did not import longer
billets just to circumvent the provisional measure.

Answers to Questionnaire

The firm failed to submit its response to the Commission’s questionnaire. However, it
responded to the questionnaire sent by BIS during the preliminary investigation which
was subsequently forwarded to the Commission.

Ocular Inspection

An ocular inspection conducted on 11 October 1999 yielded the following information:

The firm manufactures reinforcing steel bars and rods and has been operating for 35
years. It produces steel bars (Grades 33, 40 and 60) with sizes ranging from 8 mm to 50
mm and lengths of 5 meters to 12 meters. Mill certificates are sent out with each batch
delivered.

There are two (2) rolling mills – one is 35 years old and the other is 5 years old – with a
total combined annual capacity of 300,000 metric tons. Due to depressed demand, the
mills are operated alternately. Employment has fallen from 300 workers to 208.

Billets measuring 1.8 meters are used since the firm’s furnace is two (2) meters. The
billets are cut to the required length.

Pag-Asa sources its billets from various countries – Japan, Malaysia, Australia, South
Africa, Ukraine, Russia and Romania. About 140,000 metric tons of billets are imported
monthly.

3.7.2 Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation

SAMC’s 16-hectare plant is located at Ciudad Industria, Bahay Pari, Meycauayan,

Bulacan. The company’s owners are the Yao family with 40% of total shares, NatSteel
Ltd. of Singapore with another 40%, and Harrisburg Resources with the remaining

20%. Major Positions/Issues

Billets produced by NSC are comparable in terms of quality with Russian billets.

However, there are distinct advantages to using longer, i.e., 12 meter, billets. These
are: less billet gaps which reduce waste from head/tail crops; less tracking and storage
cost; less storage space; faster unloading; less damage to the heating furnace; higher
mill utilization; higher product yield/productivity.
Since 12 meter long billets are not produced locally, SAMC sources its billets from
Russia.

Answers to Questionnaire

The firm failed to submit its response to the Commission’s questionnaire. However, it
had previously responded to the BIS questionnaire which was forwarded to the
Commission.

Ocular Inspection

An ocular inspection was conducted on 24 September 1999 during which the following
were ascertained:

The plant started operation in October 1997. The company takes pride in being the first
and only ISO-9002 certified deformed steel bar producer in the country.

The company is engaged in the manufacture of reinforcing bars with diameters ranging
from 10 mm to 50 mm. Its mill has a rated capacity of 400,000 MT per year or 70 MT
per hour.

The mill is also capable of producing light sections (angle, flat and channel bars) and
rods.

SAMC’s mill furnace is designed for 12 meter long billets.

There are a total of 180 employees with 120 workers involved in

production. The firm claims to have a 25% share of the domestic market for

rebars. 3.7.3 Other Importers

Seventeen (17) importers did not submit their responses to the Commission’s
questionnaire but responded to the BIS questionnaires which were forwarded to the
Commission. These importers were: Biñan Steel Corporation; Builders Steel
Corporation; Capitol Steel Corporation; Dallas Steel Corporation; Filipino Metals
Corporation; First Tandem Steel Corporation; Galaxie Steel Corporation; Grand Asia
Metal Corporation; Interworld Steel Mills, Inc.; Kudos Metal Corporation; Legacy Steel
Corporation; Lunar Steel Corporation; Martian Steel Corporation; Maxima Steel Mills
Corporation; Osaka Steel Manufacturing, Inc.; Sonic Steel Industries, Inc.; and Venus
Steel Corporation.

No information was received from the following: Armstrong Industries Corporation;

Cadiz Steel Corporation; Cathay Metal Corporation; Cebu Steel Corporation; Cebu
Worldwide Hardware; Continental Steel Manufacturing Corporation; First Metro
Integrated Steel Corporation; Nippon East Knitting Corporation; Pacific Mills, Inc.;
Philippine Nail & Wire Corporation; Scope Industries, Inc.; and Universal Steel Smelting
Co., Inc.
A consolidated reply was submitted to the BIS by the industry associations PSRMA and
APSMI. This reply was forwarded to the Commission.

3.8 CONSIDERATION OF INFORMATION/EVIDENCE SUBMITTED

In its appreciation of the evidence submitted, the Commission exercised due diligence
in the determination of the existence of dumping, material injury, causal link, and
product comparability.

4. THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND MARKET

4.1 LIKE PRODUCT

According to Article 2.6 of the Agreement, the term "like product" shall be interpreted to
mean:

"… a product which is identical, i.e. alike in all respects, to the product under
consideration, or in the absence of such a product, another produunder
consideration."

4.1.1 The Domestic Product

The domestic products are steel billets of cross-sectional dimensions of 100 mm x 100
mm, with lengths of 3 meters to 6 meters, and conforming to Philippine National
Standards (PNS) 230, PNS 275 and PNS 415. These are suitable for the production of
reinforcing bars (rebars) of diameters 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm
and 28 mm.

4.1.2 Factors Considered in Determining Like Product

Characteristics

Chemical Composition/Mechanical Properties

Billets usually fall under particular steel grades such as the established system of
classification devised by the American Iron and Steel Institute/Society of Automotive
Engineers (AISI/SAE). Russian systems, on the other hand, rely on the GOST scheme
of classification.

The domestic industry produces commercial quality steel billets that conform to the PNS
based on American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) specifications. Thus, PNS 230
is equivalent to ASTM 33, PNS 275 is equivalent to ASTM 40, and PNS 415 is
equivalent to ASTM 60.

Based on submissions by three billet manufacturers, below are the required percentage
chemical composition of steel billets that will be used to manufacture long steel products
of Grade 230 (ASTM Grade 33), Grade 275 (ASTM Grade 40) and Grade 415 (ASTM
Grade 60) varieties:
 Table 1-A. Required Percentage Chemical Composition

Source: NSC Technical Brochure

* Non-weldable grade
** Weldable grade (high tensile)

Table 1-B. Required Percentage Chemical Composition

Source: Milwaukee Industrial Corporation

Table 1-C. Required Percentage Chemical Composition

Source: SKK Steel Corporation

In the case of steel billets imported from Russia, the chemical composition is in
accordance with GOST 380-88/3SP/PS or 5SP/PS or GOST 380-94/3SP/PS or 5SP/PS
specifications as shown below:

Table 2. Specific Importations of Steel Billets from Russia

The hot-rolling of billets into rebars does not change the chemical composition: the
original chemistry remains essentially unchanged. Rebar manufacturers use billet
chemistries based on composition limits predefined by rebar standards. Correct billet
composition together with proper hot rolling determines final rebar properties. If the billet
chemistry is correct, then the required physical properties of the bars will be attained.

With respect to billet "formability" (i.e., the ability to be formed from a square cross
section into a circular or other cross-section), this depends mainly on two factors: (a)
billet chemistry (e.g., the higher the carbon content of the billet, the harder it is) and (b)
rolling temperature (e.g., a higher temperature allows easier rolling). Formability is
minimally dependent on the method of production of the billet, whether by Electric Arc
Furnace or Blast Furnace.

As previously discussed, there are requirements for billet chemistry under the PNS and
GOST. A comparison of these requirements shows that they are comparable. Thus,
locally produced billets have the same "formability" characteristics for both hot and cold
working as steel billets imported from Russia.

Based on a comparison of the chemical composition limits required by the PNS and the
counterpart Russian (GOST) standards, the Commission is satisfied that domestic steel
billets are comparable in terms of quality to imported Russian billets.

b. Physical Characteristics
Steel billets are typically 50mm x 50mm up to 150mm x 150mm in cross-section and 6
meters, 9 meters and 12 meters in length.

The domestic steel billet industry produces 100mm x 100mm x 3 meter to 6 meter
billets.

As shown in import entries, the billets imported from Russia have the following
dimensions: 60 mm x 60 mm by 4 meters to 6 meters; 80 mm x 80 mm by 9 meters to
11 meters; 100 mm x 100 mm x 6 meters to 11.8 meters; and 120 mm x 120 mm x 12
meters.

Uses

Locally-produced billets with 100 mm x 100 mm diameter and lengths ranging from 3
meters to 6 meters are suitable for the production of Grade 230, Grade 275, and Grade
415 rebars with 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 28 mm diameters.

Russian billets with cross-sectional dimensions of 60 mm x 60 mm up to 120 mm by

120 mm and lengths ranging from 4 meters to 12 meters are suitable for the production
of the same grades of rebars with the same diameters. In addition, larger diameter
rebars (i.e., 32 mm, 36 mm, 40 mm, and 50 mm) can also be produced from the larger
cross-sectional and longer Russian billets.

Importers of Russian billets are also users of locally produced billets, whether of Grade
230, Grade 275 or Grade 415 varieties. This means that local producers of steel bars
interchangeably utilize Russian or locally produced billets.

Steel billets of Grade 415 variety, which are sometimes loosely-termed as "high carbon"
or "high quality" grade, have been produced by local billet manufacturers and were
purchased and satisfactorily used by local re-rollers based on delivery receipts of local
billet producers to local customers.

The Commission is satisfied with the interchangeability of usage of the local product
and the product under consideration.

Manufacturing Methods and Technology

Billets are produced either by rolling an ingot or bloom or directly through continuous
casting from scrap.

Locally produced steel billets are made from coke, iron or steel scraps, hot briquetted
iron (HBI) and direct reduced iron (DRI) using the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) process.
HBI is made of relatively pure iron obtained from iron ore and is added to scrap to
modify steel billet chemistry.

Imported billets from Russia are made from virgin iron ore through the Blast Furnace
(BF) or Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) method. The BF or BOF methods of
manufacturing billets are more productive per heat than the EAF process.
The difference in production process and raw material used has some impact on both
billet chemistry and physical appearance. Continuously cast billets from scrap inherently
contain higher amounts of residual elements than billets rolled from ingots or blooms.
Physically, the former have sharp corners whereas the latter exhibit clearly reduced
corners with more defined corner radii.

As already discussed, requirements for billet chemistry are provided by the PNS for
domestic billets and the comparable GOST standard for Russian billets. Thus, the
Commission is satisfied that domestic steel billets are comparable to Russian billets
despite differences in raw material and production process.

Tariff Classification

The product under consideration and domestic steel billets fall under the same HS
Subheadings. Steel billets containing by weight 0.01% or more but less than 0.25% of
carbon are classified under HS Subheading 7207.11 90 while steel billets containing by
weight 0.25% or more of carbon are classified under HS Subheading 7207.20 90.

The tariffs on steel billets were at 10% from 1991 to 1997 and 5% from 1998 to 2000.

Table 3. Tariff Rates of Steel Billets

4.1.3 Conclusion
The Commission is satisfied that domestically-produced steel billets of cross-sectional
dimensions of 100 mm x 100 mm, with lengths ranging from 3 meters to 6 meters, and
conforming to PNS 230 (ASTM 33), PNS 275 (ASTM 40) and PNS 415 (ASTM 60)
constitute like products to the imported product under consideration, i.e., Russian steel
billets with cross-sectional dimensions of 60 mm x 60 mm up to 120 mm x 120 mm, of
lengths of 4 meters up to 12 meters, and conforming to 5SP/PS GOST 380 or its
equivalent in other national standards.

4.2 THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY

Under Article 4.1 of the Agreement, domestic industry is defined as:

"Domestic producers as a whole of the like product or to those whose collective output
of the products constitutes a major proportion of the total domestic production of those
products…"

Article 5.4 of the Agreement states that an investigation shall not be initiated unless the
application has been made by or on behalf of the domestic industry:

"The application shall be considered to have been made ‘by or on behalf of the
domestic industry’ if it is supported by those domestic producers whose collective output
constitutes more than 50 per cent of the total production of the like product produced by
that portion of the domestic industry expressing either support for or opposition to the
application. However, no investigation shall be initiated when domestic producers
expressly supporting the application account for less than 25 per cent of total production
of the like product produced by the domestic industry."

There are five (5) domestic manufacturers of steel billets: NSC, CAPASCO,
Amalgamated, Milwaukee and SKK. As earlier stated, the dumping protest filed by NSC
was supported by the latter three (3) producers.

In its Initiation Report, the BIS noted that information submitted on the domestic industry
referred only to NSC’s billet operations. However, since NSC accounted for 26% of total
domestic production, even in the absence of information on the operations of the other
producers supporting the petition, the 25% WTO requirement for industry support was
deemed satisfied for the purpose of initiation.

In its preliminary determination, the BIS considered NSC as the only company
representing the domestic steel billets industry since NSC alone submitted complete
evidence relevant to their operations during the POI.

4.3 THE PHILIPPINE MARKET FOR STEEL BILLETS

The Philippine market for steel billets has been shrinking from 1996 to 1998. In 1996,
almost 1.5 million metric tons were required. This fell by 9% in 1997 to 1.3 million metric
tons. The following year, domestic consumption fell further to less than a million metric
tons representing a decline of 33%.

Table 4. The Philippine Market for Steel Billets

Sources of basic data: NSC & NSO Foreign Trade Statistics

In 1996, NSC supplied 20% of the domestic requirement for billets. Its share of the
market rose to 25% in 1997 then fell to 24% in 1998. On the other hand, the share of
billets sourced from Russia has been falling, from 56% in 1996 to 45% two years
hence.

Aside from Russia, billets are also sourced from such countries as Malaysia, Japan,
Indonesia, China and South Africa. These countries have been supplying a growing
portion of the market from 24% in 1996 to nearly 32% in 1998.

In 1998, a total of 31 importer-users were identified to have sourced their steel billets
from Russia.

5. DUMPING

Dumping occurs when any specific kind or class of foreign article is imported or brought
into the Philippines at a price less than the normal value.

5.1 EXPORT PRICE

The export price is the price paid or the selling price to an importer in the Philippines of
articles purchased at arm’s length transaction, excluding any post exportation charges
such as ocean freight and overseas insurance.

The Commission based its estimates of export prices on import entries submitted by
NSC and on file with the Commission. These were validated using the Clean Report of
Findings (CRFs) provided by the Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS).

The available information permitted adjustment for ocean freight and overseas
insurance only. Adjusted to FOB level, i.e., CIF value less freight and insurance, export
prices ranged from US$109.50/MT to US$204.50/MT.
Table 5. Export Prices by Exporter: 1998
Source: 1998 Import Entries

5.2 NORMAL VALUE

Article 2.1 of the Agreement defines normal value as:

"… the comparable price, in the ordinary course of trade, for the like product when
destined for consumption in the exporting country."

The Agreement further states in Article 2.2 that:

"When there are no sales of the like product in the ordinary course of trade in the
domestic market of the exporting country or when, because of the particular market
situation or the low volume of sales in the domestic market of the exporting country,
such sales do not permit a proper comparison, the margin of dumping shall be
determined by comparison with a comparable price of the like product when exported to
an appropriate third country, provided that this price is representative, or with the cost of
production in the country of origin plus a reasonable amount for administrative, selling
and general costs and for profits.

The Commission has ruled that the Russian Federation is not a state-controlled
economy with respect to the iron and steel industry (Report of Findings on Anti
Dumping Protest Against the Importation of Cold-Rolled Steel Coils and Sheets from
Russia dated 23 December 1999). Following this ruling, normal values for steel billets
should be based on selling prices and costs in the Russian domestic market.

The Commission was unable to determine the normal value of steel billets based on
domestic selling prices and/or cost of production in Russia due to the unavailability of
data. A certification from the Philippine Embassy in Russia submitted by protestant
reported that the bulk of steel billets produced by Russian steel mills is utilized by their
own or affiliated mills.

Using the best-information-available option, the Commission based its estimates of

normal values on FOB export prices of steel billets by Russia (originating from different
ports, i.e., Far East port, Black Sea/Baltic Sea port) as published in 1998 issues of
METAL BULLETIN. Shown below are the normal values that were derived:

Table 6. Normal Values (FOB)

Source: 1998 issues of METAL BULLETIN
5.3 DETERMINATION OF DUMPING

Article 2.4 of the Agreement sets the terms for comparing the normal value and the
export price:

"A fair comparison shall be made between the export price and normal value. This
comparison shall be made at the same level of trade, normally at the ex-factory level,
and in respect of sales made at as nearly as possible the same time. Due allowance
shall be made in each case, on its merits, for differences which affect price
comparability, including differences in conditions and terms of sales, taxation, levels of
trade, quantities, physical characteristics, and any other differences which are also
demonstrated to affect price comparability…"

Based on the estimated normal values derived from published Russian export prices of
steel billets, dumping margins ranging from US$25.64/MT to US$0.19/MT or 22.72% to
0.11% of the export price were determined for nineteen (19) exporters/traders. Negative
dumping margins were calculated for the rest. (See Annex "A" for the detailed
computations.)

Table 7. Dumping Margins by Exporter

5.4 DE MINIMIS MARGIN OF DUMPING

As stated in Article 5.8 of the Agreement:

"There shall be immediate termination if the margin of dumping is de minimis. The
margin of dumping shall be considered de minimis if the margin is less than 2 percent,
expressed as a percentage of the export price."

Of the thirty-seven (37) identified exporters of steel billets from Russia during the POI,
eleven (11) have dumping margins that are not de minimis. Their margins range from
2.19% to 22.72% of the export price.

6. THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY

6.1 DETERMINATION OF INJURY

In Article 3 of the Agreement, the injury factors that must be evaluated by the
investigating authority are set out:

bulletthe volume of dumped imports; bulletthe effect of the dumped imports on prices in
the domestic market for the like product; and bulletthe consequent impact of the
dumped imports on domestic producers of the like product. For purposes of its material
injury and causality determination, the Commission considered only the submission of
NSC as the domestic industry. While SKK, Milwaukee and Amalgamated expressed
their support to the anti-dumping protest filed by NSC, they failed to comply with the
documentary and/or evidentiary and other requirements necessary for the determination
of dumping, material injury and causality. Thus, information on the domestic industry
presented in the succeeding discussion refers only to NSC’s operation.

6.1.1 Volume of Dumped Imports

The Negligibility Threshold

Article 5.8 of the Agreement provides for the immediate termination of dumping cases
when the volume of dumped imports is found to be negligible:

"There shall be immediate termination in cases where the authorities determine that …
the volume of dumped imports, actual or potential… is negligible…The volume of
dumped imports shall normally be regarded as negligible if the volume of dumped
imports from a particular country is found to account for less than 3 percent of imports of
like product in the importing Member, unless countries which individually account for
less than 3 percent of the imports of like product in the importing Member collectively
account for more than 7 percent of imports of like product in the importing Member."

Imports of steel billets from Russia in 1998 totaled 396,000 MT. Of this volume, 151,000
MT (or 38%) were imported at dumped prices.

Table 8. Volume of Dumped Imports

Sources:
1998 Import Entries
NSO Foreign Trade Statistics

The volume of dumped imports accounted for 22% of total Philippine imports of steel
billets of 676,000 MT. Since this share is above 3%, same is not negligible.

Volume Effects

Article 3.2 of the Agreement specifically provides that:

"With regard to the volume of dumped imports, the investigating authorities shall
consider whether there has been a significant increase in dumped imports, either in
absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in the importing Member."

Consumption of steel billets increased in the 2nd quarter then fell in the 3rd and 4th
quarters. Quarterly sales of NSC as well as the quarterly volume of dumped imports
followed the same pattern.

Table 9. Volume of Dumped Imports Vis-à-vis

Domestic Consumption and Production

Sources of basic data: NSC; NSO Foreign Trade Statistics; 1998 Import
Entries

Relative to production, dumped imports represented around 73% of NSC’s 1998

production level. However, NSC suspended operations during two periods in 1998: from
22 April to 5 May and from 24 October to 31 December. During the 1st and 3rd quarters
when production was normal, quarterly dumped imports represented 45% and 60% of
NSC’s quarterly production levels.

With respect to domestic consumption, dumped imports accounted for 17% of total
consumption in 1998. Accounting for 15% to 16% of the market in the first three
quarters, the market share of dumped imports rose to 28% in the final quarter.

6.1.2 Price Effects

Article 3.2 of the Agreement states:

"With regard to the effect of the dumped imports on prices, the investigating authorities
shall consider whether there has been a significant price undercutting by the dumped
imports as compared with the price of a like product of the importing Member, or
whether the effect of such imports is otherwise to depress prices to a significant degree
or prevent price increases, which otherwise would have occurred, to a significant
degree."

Price undercutting occurs when the prices of dumped imports are significantly lower
than the prices of the like domestic product.

The incidence of price undercutting was determined by comparing the average landed
cost of dumped steel billets from Russia against the average ex-factory domestic selling
price of local billets. The figures show that undercutting occurred in the 2nd and 4th
quarters despite consistently falling ex-factory selling prices. The average landed cost of
dumped steel billets was 2.45% lower in the 2nd quarter and 11.31% lower in the final
quarter. The magnitude of undercutting in the 4th quarter was influenced by the
devaluation of the Russian Ruble by 114% in September 1998.

Price depression occurs when the prices of dumped imports force down the prices of
the like product.
NSC’s average domestic selling prices of steel billets steadily declined in the 1st quarter
to the last quarter despite relatively stable production costs in the first three quarters.
Price depression was particularly evident in the 2nd quarter when NSC’s price dropped
by 8% although production cost decreased by merely 3%. The reduction in selling
prices led to a lower profit margin in the 2nd quarter and a loss in the 3rd quarter.

Price suppression occurs when the prices of dumped imports prevent increases in the
prices of the like product which would otherwise have occurred.

The incidence of price suppression occurred in the 3rd and 4th quarters when NSC’s
selling prices declined despite increasing cost to produce and sell. During these
quarters, selling prices fell below cost and NSC incurred growing losses. Suppression
was pronounced in the 4th quarter when NSC’s price fell by 7% despite an 11%
increase in production cost.

The incidence of price depression and suppression cannot be attributed entirely to the
dumping of Russian billets. Average peso landed costs of billets imported from
countries other than Russia were declining during the POI and were lower than the
average landed cost of undumped billets from Russia. However, Russia remained the
price leader: it accounted for 58% of total imports while the various countries individually
accounted for only 6% or less of total Philippine imports of billets.

6.1.3 Injury Factors

Market Share

NSC’s share of the domestic market for steel billets was 20% in 1996. This increased to
25% in 1997 then declined to 24% in 1998. That its market share was reduced only
slightly was made possible through the pricing strategy (i.e., price depression and
suppression) NSC undertook.

Table 10. Market Shares

Sources of basic data: NSC; NSO Foreign Trade Statistics; 1998 Import Entries
In the 1st quarter of dumping, dumped imports captured 16% of the market and eroded
the shares of both NSC and non-dumped imports. From an annual market share of 25%
in 1997, NSC’s share of the market during the quarter shrank by 20% to 20%. The
share of non-dumped imports decreased by 15%.

The following quarter, NSC captured the increase in consumption thus recovering its
market share, mainly at the expense of non-dumped imports. NSC’s depressed price
during the quarter minimally affected the share of dumped imports which remained at
16%.

In the 3rd quarter, the market contracted by 7% and the shares of NSC and dumped
imports fell by 12% and 6%, respectively. In the final quarter, there was further
contraction of the market. Although the market shares of both NSC and dumped imports
increased, the rise in the latter by 90% was much higher and allowed it to capture a
larger slice of the market vis-à-vis NSC. Price suppression by NSC during this quarter
showed its impact on non-dumped imports whose market share fell to 45%.

Overall, NSC was able to defend its share against non-dumped imports by trying to
remain price-competitive (price depression and suppression) but was unsuccessful
against dumped imports.

Sales

In 1997, sales of NSC rose by 11% despite a 9% contraction of the market. Revenue
from sales correspondingly increased.

Table 11. Trends in Sales of Steel Billets

Source of basic data: NSC

In 1998 when dumping occurred, sales of NSC mirrored the decrease in consumption.
Moreover, the 36% reduction in its sales was greater than the 34% decline in the total
consumption of steel billets.

The entry of dumped imports in the 1st quarter reduced NSC’s sales by more than half
relative to average quarterly sales in 1997. In the 3rd and 4th quarters, sales of NSC
and dumped imports both fell consistent with the reduction in quarterly consumption
levels. However, the quarterly decreases in NSC’s sales were invariably greater than
the contraction of dumped imports despite the company’s suppressed prices. This
indicates that NSC’s prices remained uncompetitive vis-à-vis dumped imports leading to
a significant restrictive effect on the company’s sales.

Production, Capacity Utilization and Inventory

NSC’s production load declined by 2.35% from 1996 to 1997 and by 28.87% from 1997
to 1998 parallel to the contraction of the market for steel billets. In 1997, operations shut
down ten (10) days earlier in December due to high inventory. In 1998, the billet shop
shut down for a total of 84 days for inventory control purposes (April 22 to May 5) and
power allocation purposes (October 24 to December 31).

Table 12. Trends in Production, Capacity Utilization and Inventory

Source of basic data: NSC

Declining production volumes led to corresponding reductions in both inventory and

capacity utilization levels.

It is noted that NSC had the capacity to supply more than three-fifths of the volume of
dumped imports (151,000 MT) in 1998.
Cost of Production

NSC uses both local (own mill-generated and from other domestic sources) and
imported scrap (shredded). In 1996 and 1997, imported scrap provided 38% of NSC’s
scrap requirements. In 1998, the share of imported scrap fell slightly to 33%. Shredded
scrap commands a higher price than ordinary imported scrap.

The cost of producing a metric ton of steel billets in 1998 was 15.47% higher than the
1997 level. This increase is partly attributable to the rise in the price of its direct material
(scrap) and other conversion costs (i.e., fixed and transfer cost) which constituted 60%
and 13% of total production cost, respectively.

Table 13. Breakdown of Production Cost

Source of basic data: NSC

Despite the huge increase in production cost, NSC did not adjust its selling prices
upward. On the contrary, its prices were suppressed to defend its sales and market
share from dumped and non-dumped imports.

Profitability

NSC suffered a loss from its billet operation in 1996 but recovered in 1997. Return on
sales based on EBIT was negative 5% in 1996 and 3% in 1997.

In 1998, NSC suffered another loss. Return on sales was negative 20%. This loss is
attributable to the increase in production cost (described above) combined with
depressed prices and reduced sales. Since the dumping of Russian billets had a
negative impact on sales and significantly influenced NSC’s pricing, it was an important
contributory factor to the net loss sustained by NSC in 1998.
Cash Flow

The drop in sales revenue in 1998 by 30% contributed markedly to NSC’s liquidity
problem. The revenue lost could have been used to fund working capital requirements
(e.g., purchase of steel scrap for its billet production). Since dumping had a significant
dampening effect on NSC’s sales, it aggravated the company’s cash flow problems.

Investment and Ability to Raise Capital

NSC’s inability to generate investment and raise capital is traceable to its internal
problems which include enormous debt, high interest cost, foreign exchange losses,
high cost of scrap, high operating costs, and a shortage of working capital.

On 31 July 1998, NSC entered into a debt re-structuring agreement with its creditor
banks. The company could not service its loans because it had been suffering huge
losses which aggregated to around P15 billion by year-end 1998.

Employment and Wages

The total workforce in billet operations was 158 as of November 1998 as against 190 in
1997. The retrenchment of thirty-two (32) employees was caused by the reduction in
production and sales on which dumping had material influence.

6.1.4 Factors Other than Dumping

The Commission evaluated factors other than dumping which could have caused injury
to the domestic industry.

Competition from Normal (Undumped) Imports

Normal or undumped imports of steel billets provided stiff competition to the domestic
industry. Imports of billets from countries other than Russia gained an increasing share
of the market from 24% in 1996 to 32% in 1998 (Table 4). Individually, however, these
countries accounted for 6% or less of total imports of billets in 1998. Imports from
Russia continued to dominate the market, accounting for 45%. Less dumped imports,
Russia’s market share in 1998 was 28%.

The intensity of competition with imports was heightened by the decrease in the tariff
rate on steel billets from 10% in 1997 to 5% in 1998. This was further aggravated by the
realignment of currency values in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The
Russian Ruble fell from US$1 = 6.00 RR (January 1998) to US$1 = 19.94 RR
(December 1998). The Philippine peso did not depreciate as much, i.e. from $1 =
P29.47 in 1997 to $1 = P41.04 in 1998.
In 1998, undumped imports of steel billets coming from Russia enjoyed a price
advantage over NSC’s billets. Billets from other countries, except Malaysia, were priced
even lower.

Market Contraction
Unfavorable economic conditions ensuing from the Asian financial crisis that broke in
1997 dampened demand and depressed prices.

As previously discussed, the Philippine market for steel billets contracted by 9% and
34% in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

High Cost to Produce

Producers in Russia enjoy a competitive advantage in steelmaking due to the

availability of the required natural resources (e.g., iron ore, fossil fuels). They also
benefit from economies of scale.

In contrast, NSC was burdened by the lack of iron ore; expensive imported scrap; low
yield local scrap; high cost of electricity; and low level of technology.

Financial Performance

The Asian financial crisis that struck in mid-1997 led to a general economic slowdown
characterized by a devaluation of the peso, high interest rates, tight financial credit and
a decline in construction activities. These less-than-desirable conditions led to the
contraction of the domestic steel market and affected NSC in terms of foreign currency
losses, higher financing costs, and reduced production and sales.

In 1996, NSC recorded a loss from operation amounting to P2.032 billion owing mainly
to the revaluation of assets as required by incoming investor Hottick. In 1997, EBIT
amounting to P0.780 billion was realized

The following year saw another loss, with corresponding negative returns on sales,
assets and stockholders’ equity. This was due mainly to the 29% reduction in net sales
from 1997 to 1998.

The huge interest expenses charged to operations were also contributory to the
company’s losses. Total interest cost (including those capitalized to property, plant and
equipment) was at the billion-peso level from 1996 to 1998.

The relative share of billet operations to NSC’s overall operations was 21% in

1998. Foreign Currency Losses

The higher peso requirement for servicing NSC’s dollar-denominated loans due to the
sharp devaluation of the peso adversely affected the company’s financial position.

In 1997, NSC incurred total foreign currency losses of about P2.5 billion. Of this
amount, some P1.2 billion were capitalized and included as part of construction costs of
the company’s plant facilities and installation of machinery and equipment and about
P861 million were charged to the deficit account.

In 1998, a total of 154.9 million in foreign currency losses was again capitalized and
included as part of construction costs of the company’s plant facilities and installation of
machinery and equipment.

7. FINAL DETERMINATION

7.1 REPUBLIC ACT 8752 (ANTI-DUMPING ACT OF 1999)

R.A. 8752 which amends Section 301 of the TCCP was signed by the President on 12
August 1999. It became effective on 4 September 1999 fifteen (15) days after its
publication on 19 August 1999 in Malaya and Philippine Standard.

7.2 APPLICATION OF PROCEDURAL MATTERS UNDER R.A. 8752

Procedural provisions of R.A. 8752 are applicable to the instant anti-dumping case. In
Republic vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 92326, 24 January 1992, the Court held:

"Procedural matters are governed by the law in force when they arise, and procedural
statutes are generally retroactive in that they apply to pending proceedings and are not
confined to those begun after their enactment although, with respect to such pending
proceedings, they affect only procedural steps taken after their enactment." (205 SCRA
356)

7.3 CONCLUSION

The Commission finds that:

price differences exist between the normal values and export prices of steel billets from
Russia; dumping per se of steel billets originating in or exported from Russia during the
POI (22% of total Philippine imports) caused material injury to NSC as reflected in the
actual decline in sales, market share, profits and employment; and factors other than
dumping, i.e., competition from undumped imports, market contraction, high cost of
production, foreign exchange losses and high interest cost on loan obligations, also
injured NSC and, combined with dumping, led to a significant overall impairment of its
position. In view of the foregoing, the elements constituting dumping having been
established, it is hereby ordered that anti-dumping duties be imposed on steel billets
originating from Russia with carbon content of 0.13% to 0.38% and used for the
production of 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 28 mm rebars of
Grade 230, Grade 275 and Grade 415 varieties. The corresponding anti-dumping duty
shall be imposed on the following exporters:
With regard to those exporters or producers in the exporting country in question who
have not exported the product to the Philippines during the POI, their individual margins
of dumping shall be determined following a review to be initiated by the Commission
and carried out on an accelerated basis, provided that said producers or exporters can
show that they are not related to any of the exporters or producers in the exporting
country who are subject to the anti-dumping duties on the product. No anti-dumping
duties shall be levied on imports from such producers or exporters while the review is
being carried out.

7.4 SUSPENSION OF IMPOSITION OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTY

Article 9.1 of the Agreement provides:

"The decision whether or not to impose an anti-dumping duty in cases where all
requirements for the imposition have been fulfilled, and the decision whether the
amount of the anti-dumping duty to be imposed shall be the full margin of dumping or
less, are decisions to be made by the authorities of the importing Member. It is desirable
that the imposition be permissive in the territory of all Members, and that the duty be
less than the margin if such lesser duty would be adequate to remove the injury to the
domestic industry."

Following an ocular inspection conducted on 8 November 1999 revealing the non

operation of NSC, the Commission orders the suspension of the imposition of the
prescribed definitive anti-dumping duties until such time that NSC can show proof that
its Billets Division is already on a normal operation status. With respect to the four (4)
other producers of steel billets, the elements of material injury and causality were not
established.

7.5 REVIEW OF THE ANTI-DUMPING DUTY

Paragraph (O) of Section 301 of the TCCP, as amended by R.A. 8752, states that:

"However, the need for the continued imposition of the anti-dumping duty may be
reviewed by the Commission when warranted motu propio, or upon the direction of the
Secretary, taking into consideration the need to protect the domestic industry against
dumping."

"If the Commission determines that the anti-dumping duty is no longer necessary or
warranted, the Secretary shall, upon its recommendation, issue a Department Order
immediately terminating the imposition of anti-dumping duty."

7.6 ISSUANCE OF DEPARTMENT ORDER

Paragraph (I) of Section 301 of the TCCP, as amended by R.A. 8752, provides that:

"The Secretary shall, within ten (10) days from receipt of the affirmative final

determination by the Commission, issue a Department Order imposing an anti-dumping

duty on the imported product, commodity, or article, unless he has earlier accepted a
price undertaking from the exporter or foreign producer. He shall furnish the Secretary
of Finance with the copy of the Order and request the latter to direct the Commissioner
of Customs to collect within three (3) days from receipt thereof the definitive anti
dumping duty."
Let copies of the decision be furnished the Protestant, the Protestees and the Embassy
of Russia. The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry shall, within ten (10)
days from receipt of this decision, issue a Department Order for the imposition of
definitive anti-dumping duty on the aforementioned product and the suspension thereof
until such time that NSC can show proof that its Billets Division is already on a normal
operations status.

Let copies of the dispositive portion of the decision be published immediately in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

SO ORDERED.
28 August 2000
EMMANUEL T. VELASCO, Ph.D.
Chairman

ANTHONY R.A. ABAD

Commissioner
EDGARDO B. ABON
Commissioner