Tariff protection through RD: sanitary fittings manufacturer approaches NTC

Master Sanitary Fitting Industries Limited, Gujranwala (applicant), a manufacturer of sanitary fittings has approached National Tariff Commission (NTC) for tariff protection through imposition of regulatory duty on export of raw materials, ie, waste and scrap of copper (PCT No 7404.9000) Copper bars, Rods and profiles of refined copper - Bars (7407,1010), Rods (7407.1020) Twisted copper bars (7407.1030), Other (7407.1090), Copper-zinc base alloys (brass) (7407.2100), (Cupro nickel) or copper-nickel-zinc (7407.2900), Zinc waste and scrap - zinc wire (7407.0010), Other brass (7407.0090) used by the Applicant.
The applicant's request is based on the following grounds: The applicant is the one of the leading domestic manufacturer of Sanitary Fittings for which above-mentioned items are used as raw material/input. The sanitary fittings industry in Pakistan is dependent on recycled brass and copper for which the availability of Waste and Scrap of Brass and Copper is very much critical to the viability of this industry in Pakistan. Due to a huge price difference between new and reused metals it is almost impossible for the local manufacturers to procure pure copper from international market and to use in the local manufacturing. Therefore, the whole industry is using recycled metals instead of buying pure metals.
The prices of Waste & Scrap in Pakistan fluctuate drastically in line with the availability of these materials in the local market. The Waste & Scrap of copper and brass is usually exported out of Pakistan, which create gap among demand and supply resulting into sudden fluctuations in the prices of these materials which is highly injurious for the local manufacturers.
The sanitary industry is meeting the local demand plus exporting the sanitary fitting thereby earning much-needed foreign exchange after adding value to the raw material. In the light of the above, the Applicant has requested for imposition of Regulatory duty @ 25% on export of waste & scrap of copper, brass and zinc.
As per the Public Notice dated October 25, 2011, NTC has initiated an inquiry and would welcome views, suggestions and proposals from all parties having an interest in the business relating to or associated with the imports, manufacturing and marketing of waste & scrap and profiles of brass, copper and zinc. Views/suggestions may be sent within fifteen days of publication of this press release in newspapers, to the Secretary, National Tariff Commission, 4th Floor, State Life Building No 5, Blue Area, Islamabad.
A public hearing on the issue is scheduled to be held on November 17, 2012 at 11.00 am in the Committee Room of National Tariff Commission, 11th Floor, State Life Building No 5, Blue Area, Islamabad.
Further, all parties having an interest in the business relating to or associated with the imports, manufacturing and marketing of Waste & Scrap and profiles of Brass, Copper and Zinc are hereby advised to get themselves registered with Nit latest by November 14, 2011 for participation in the public hearing by providing names of the participants with the telephone numbers (Cell/LL) and fax numbers to the Director (Inv-1) on fax No 051-9221205. For any further inquiry please contact 051-9205200. All interested parties may submit their comments and suggestions in writing. The comments and suggestions may be supported with essential facts, information and documentary evidences, which must be brought to the public hearing. The views not supported with reliable documentary evidence(s) shall not be considered.-PR