Turkish flour exporters to continue doing business in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the Philippines’ imposition of dumping duties on some Turkish flour exporters, the Turkish Flour Yeast and Ingredients (TFYI) promotions group said they will continue to do business in the country.

In a statement yesterday, the semi-government entity representing Turkish flour exporters said while it is saddened by the recent decision of the Philippine Tariff Commission (TC) to impose dumping duties on some Turkish flour exporters, its trade and businesses in the country will continue.

“We respect the decision of the DA (Department of Agriculture) that will implement anti-dumping duty on various margins to some exporters. However, as an organisation representing all Turkish flour exporters we believe this decision is based on misunderstanding or miscalculations of data,” it said.

This, as it noted that its companies do not conduct business to threaten the domestic flour industry.

Last month, the TC ordered the imposition of anti-dumping duties ranging from 0 percent to 16.19 percent on 17 exporters of flour from Turkey for a period of five years after having established that Turkish flour imports are a threat to the domestic industry.

The TC decision was issued following a conduct of formal investigation on a petition filed by the Philippine Association of Flour Millers Inc. which claimed that local flour could not compete with Turkish flour being sold at dumping prices.

Dumping takes place when a country exports a commodity at prices lower than its domestic prices.

Such practice is in violation of the World Trade Organization’s rules.

Still, the TFYI gave its assurance that it will continue to trade with the Philippines.

 “We would like to emphasize that Turkey, specifically our group, the TFYI Promotions Group sees the Philippines as a close trade partner in the Southeast Asian region,” it said.

Turkish flour exporters are of the view that their presence in the Philippine market will provide a more competitive atmosphere and provide local bakers as well as small to medium scale producers an affordable option.

 “We hope that the local wheat flour producers of the Philippines will start seeing our presence in the market as a motivation to improve their products, rather than seeing us as a threat and constantly trying to eliminate a healthy competition,” the TFYI said.