Lucky Cement not to proceed with court challenge

Lucky Cement has decided to drop its South African court challenge regarding the imposition of anti-dumping duties by the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) on Portland cement imports originating from Pakistan.

The company said it had instead decided to put its faith in the Pakistan government's approach to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to challenge and revoke the anti-dumping duties.

Muhammad Faisal, the financial director of Lucky Cement, confirmed to Business Report last week that "as of now" the company would not proceed with a High Court application to set aside the definitive anti-dumping duties imposed by Itac.

"Pakistan has gone to the WTO (to rule) against the anti-dumping duties imposed by South Africa against exports from Pakistan.

"We believe that this matter will be better handled by the government of Pakistan and there is no need to go into litigation separately as a company at this juncture," he said.

Itac made a final determination in December on the anti-dumping duties and imposed duties ranging between 14.29 per cent and 77.15 per cent following an investigation in response to complaints submitted by a number of local cement producers, including PPC, Lafarge, NPC Cimpor and AfriSam.