The Jakarta Post reported that Malaysia will not impose protective tariffs on Indonesian steel products after a review said there were no indications that Indonesian imports seriously injured Malaysian producers.

Ms Ernawati Indonesian Trade Ministry’s trade security director said that Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry announced on August 22nd the results of its investigation of imported Indonesian hot rolled coil.

She said “Following the end of the investigation of Indonesian steel products by Malaysia, our exporters will have a better chance to grab a higher share of the export market.”

Ms Erna added that Indonesian steel products currently had a small share of the Malaysian market and did not pose a threat to Malaysian steel manufacturers.

MITI started an investigation of two types of Indonesian hot rolled coil steel on May 9 following a petition from Malaysian steel producer Megasteel Sdn Bhd.

The products were previously charged 25% import duty under the Most Favored Nation clause of the WTO trade rules and a zero percent duty under the Common Effective Preferential Tariff.

According to the Commodity Trade Statistics Database, Indonesia exported USD 51.1 million of hot rolled coil steel in 2010, down by 19% from USD 62.8 million in 2009.

(Sourced from The Jakarta Post)