Belarus threatens neighbor with duties

Belarus has warned it would take counter measures if the Lithuanian government carries out its intention to re-introduce an anti-dumping duty on cement imports from Belarus.

Belarussian cement importers are indignant given that no heed is taken to the possible harm this move might have on small-sized businesses and local producers using cheaper cement.

Roman Svedas, director of the Economic Department of Lithuania's Foreign Ministry, said that Belarussian officials sent a note to Lithuania saying they would consider the possibility of taking counter-measure if Lithuania introduces an anti-dumping duty.

"The main argument is discrimination against Belarussian cement as opposed to [non-discrimination against] the same product from Russia," he said.

Under the Competition Council's decision, an anti-dumping duty has been applied to cement imports from Belarus since 2001. Anti-dumping duties on cement imports from Russia, on the other hand, were revoked on Oct. 1 due to the low volume of imports.

The Lithuanian government on Nov. 6 is to consider a proposal from the Economics Ministry to apply an anti-dumping duty of 52 litas per ton to three major Belarussian cement exporters. The duty would take effect within a month after the government resolution.

Petras Kazermekas, commercial director of Kyra, which imports Belarussian cement, said the ministry's move against Belarussian cement is discriminatory, as these imports account for as little as 6 percent of the total cement sales in this country.