The Jakarta Post reported that the Indonesian Trade Security Committee has started an investigation into the drastic increase in imported steel wire for construction use following the complaint from local distributors that the sharp increase in the imports had already hurt their business.

Ms Halida Miljani chairwoman of KPPI said in a statement that the investigation had been instigated in response to a petition filed with the committee by Indonesia's leading manufacturer of wire products, PT Bevananda Mustika, and based on preliminary data showing a surge in imports of the products that potentially hurt the firm.

She added that "The government will continue to protect local producers from unfair trade practices. If the imported products are proven to hurt local producers, we will immediately impose safeguard measures."

Under World Trade Organization rules, the government can impose a provisional measure on imported products 200 days at the latest after the committee initiates an official investigation. Currently, imported steel products, including wire, are charged a 15% import duty.

(Sourced from www.thejakartapost.com)