The WTO have reported that on July 14, 2014 Turkey has notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it has initiated a safeguard investigation on printing, writing and copying papers earlier in June 21, 2014.

The product subject the investigation is printing, writing and copying papers. It is classified under the Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule under the following tariff codes:

·      4802.55.15.10.00

·      4802.55.25.10.00

·      4802.55.30.10.00

·      4802.55.90.10.00

·      4802.56.20.20.00

·      4802.56.80.10.00

·      4802.57.00.10.00

·      4802.58.10.10.00

·      4802.58.90.10.00

This safeguard investigation aims to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or is threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.

The Turkish authorities have decided to initiate the safeguard investigation based on the prima facie evidence submitted by the parties. It is reported that although yearly domestic consumption increased by 167 thousands tones in 2013 compared to the figure in 2009, this extra demand in domestic market has almost totally been supplied by imported goods. In this period imports increased both in absolute numbers and relative to domestic production.

Moreover, economic indicators of the applicants have showed signs of deterioration in the same years. The evidence also provides that serious injury of applicants is caused by the increase and the conditions of imports.

The Turkish authorities invite all interest parties, within 20 days after the announcement of the investigation, to submit an application form. They may request to be heard by the investigating authority.