The Countervailing Duties Act, 2015

An Act to reform and repeal the Countervailing Duties Ordinance, 2001

WHEREAS it is expedient to give effect in Pakistan to the provisions of Articles VI and XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1994, and to the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and to further strengthen the law relating to imposition of countervailing duties to offset such subsidies, to provide a framework for investigation and determination of such subsidies and injury in respect of goods imported into Pakistan;

AND WHEREAS the imposition of countervailing duties to offset injurious subsidization is in the public interest;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for certain reforms in the Countervailing Duties Ordinance, 2001 (I of 2001), by repealing it and re enacting the law for the purposes hereinafter appearing;

It is hereby enacted as follows:—

PART I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the Countervailing Duties Act, 2015.

(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan.

(3) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.
In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—

(a) “Agreement on Subsidies” means the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures included in Annex (1A) to the Final Ordinance of the Results of the Uruguay Round concerning the Implementation of Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1994;

(b) “Appellate Tribunal” means the Appellate Tribunal established under the Anti-Dumping duties Law for the time being in force;

(c) “Application” means an application submitted to the Commission pursuant to sub section (1) of section 11;

(d) “Commission” means the National Tariff Commission established under the Law for the time being inforce;

(e) “country” means any country or territory whether a member of the World Trade Organisation or not and includes a customs union or customs territory;

(f) “countervailing measures” means any measures that may be taken by the Commission under this Act including imposition of countervailing duties, whether provisional or definitive, or the acceptance of an undertaking;

(g) “definitive countervailing duty” means a duty imposed by the Commission under section 16, sub-section (15) of section 14 or subsection (2) of section 17;

(h) “domestic industry” means the domestic producers as a whole of a like product or those whose collective output of that product constitutes a major proportion of the total domestic production of that product; except when any such domestic producers are related to the exporters or importers, or are themselves importers of the allegedly subsidised product. In such a case “domestic industry” shall mean the rest of the domestic producers:

Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, producers shall be deemed to be related to exporters or importers only if —

(i) one of them directly or indirectly controls the other;

(ii) both of them are directly or indirectly controlled by the same third person; or

(iii) together they directly or indirectly control a third person:

Provided that there are grounds for believing or suspecting that the effect of the relationship is such as to cause the producer concerned to behave differently from non related producers and for that purpose one shall be deemed to control another when the former is legally or operationally in a position to exercise restraint or direction over the latter:

Provided further that, in exceptional circumstances, as may be determined by the Commission, the domestic industry in relation to a product in question may be divided into two or more competitive markets and producers within each such market may be regarded as a separate industry if the—

(i) producers within such a market sell all or almost all of their production of the product in question in such a market; and

(ii) demand in such a market is not, to any substantial degree, supplied by producers of the product in question located elsewhere in Pakistan;

(i) “Exporting country” means a country granting subsidy in respect of an investigated product, which country may be either —

(i) the country of origin of the investigated product; or

(ii) where the investigated product is not exported directly to Pakistan but is transported through an intermediate country, such intermediate country;

(j) “government” means the government or any public body within the territory of an exporting country;

(k) “injury” means, unless otherwise specified, material injury to a domestic industry, threat of material injury to a domestic industry or material retardation of the establishment of a domestic industry, when subsidised imports are causing such injury;

(l) “interested party” includes—

(i) an exporter, foreign producer, an importer of an investigated product or an association a majority of the members of which are producers, exporters or importers of such product;

(ii) a producer of a like product in Pakistan or an association a majority of the members of which produce a like product in Pakistan; and

(iii) such other person or group of persons as the Commission may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify;

(m) “investigated product” means a product which is subject to an investigation under this Act;

(n) “investigation” means an investigation conducted under this Act;

(o) “like product” means a product which is a like in all respects to an investigated product or, in the absence of such a product, another product which, although not a like in all respects, has characteristics closely resembling those of the investigated product;

(p) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(q) “provisional countervailing duty” means a duty imposed by the Commission under section 13;

(r) “public notice” means a notice published by the Commission in at least one issue each of a daily newspaper in the English language and a daily newspaper in the Urdu language having wide circulation in Pakistan;

(s) “Schedule” mean the Schedule to this Act;

(t) “subsidy” means a subsidy as defined in section 4 and “subsidization” shall be construed accordingly; and

(u) “WTO” means the World Trade Organisation established pursuant to the Marrakesh Agreement concluded in Marrakesh, Morocco, on the 15th April, 1994.

PART II
COUNTERVAILING MEASURES

3. Levy of Countervailing Duty.
(1) Where the Commission determines in accordance with the provisions of this Act that any exporting country pays or bestows, directly or indirectly, any subsidy upon the manufacture or production therein or the exportation therefrom of any investigated product including any subsidy on transportation of such product and such subsidy causes injury then, upon the importation of any such product into Pakistan, the Commission shall, by notification in the official Gazette, impose a countervailing duty thereon as provided for in this Act.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a product shall be considered to be subsidised if it benefits from a countervailable subsidy as provided for in section 4 and 5.

(3) A subsidy may be granted by a government of the country of origin of an investigated product or by the government of an intermediate country from which the investigated product is exported to Pakistan.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where an investigated product is not directly imported from the country of origin but exported to Pakistan from an intermediate country, the provisions of this Act shall be fully applicable and such transaction shall, where considered appropriate by the Commission, be regarded as having taken place between the country of origin of the investigated product and Pakistan.

PART III
DEFINITION OF SUBSIDY, COUNTERVAILABLE AND
NON COUNTERVAILABLE SUBSIDIES

4. Circumstances in which subsidy shall be deemed to exist.
A subsidy shall be deemed to exist if —

(a) there shall be financial contribution by a government, where—

(i) the government practice involves direct transfer of funds including grants, loans and equity infusion, or potential direct transfer of funds or liabilities, or both;

(ii) government revenue that is otherwise due is foregone or not collected including fiscal incentives such as tax credits:

Provided that exemption of an exported product from duties or taxes borne by a like product when destined for domestic consumption, or remission of such duties or taxes in amounts not in excess of those which have accrued, shall not be deemed to be a subsidy provided that such exemption is granted in accordance with the provisions of the First, Second and Third Schedules;

(iii) the government provides goods or services other than general infrastructure or purchases goods; or

(iv) the government makes payments to a funding mechanism, or entrusts or directs a private body to carry out one or more of the type of functions specified in sub clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) which would normally be vested in the government and the practice in, no real sense, differs from practices normally followed by governments;

(b) there is any form of income or price support within the meaning of Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1994; and

(c) a benefit is thereby conferred.

5. Countervailable subsidies.
(1) A subsidy shall be subject to countervailing measures under this Act only if the Commission determines that such subsidy is specific in accordance with the principles set out in sub sections (2), (3), (4) and (5).

(2) In order to determine whether a subsidy is specific to an enterprise, industry or a group of enterprises or industries, hereinafter referred to as “certain enterprises”, within the jurisdiction of a granting authority, the Commission shall apply the following principles, namely:

(a) where the granting authority, or the legislation pursuant to which the granting authority operates, explicitly limits access to a subsidy to certain enterprises, such subsidy shall be specific;

(b) where the granting authority, or the legislation pursuant to which the granting authority operates, establishes objectives criteria or conditions governing the eligibility for, and the amount of, a subsidy, specificity shall not exist, provided that the eligibility is automatic and that such criteria and conditions are strictly adhered to;

Explanation.—For the purposes of clause (b), objective criteria or conditions mean criteria or conditions which are neutral, which do not favour certain enterprises over other, and which are economic in nature and horizontal in application, such as, number of employees or size of enterprise. Such criteria or conditions must be clearly set out by law, regulation, or other official document, so as to be capable of verification; and

(c) if, notwithstanding any appearance of non specificity resulting from the application of the principles laid down in clauses (a) and (b), there are reasons to believe that the subsidy may in fact be specific, the following other factors may be considered by the Commission, namely:—

(i) use of a subsidy programme by a limited number of certain enterprises;

(ii) predominant use by certain enterprises;

(iii) granting of disproportionately large amounts of subsidy to certain enterprises; and

(iv) manner in which discretion has been exercised by the granting authority in the decision to grant a subsidy;

Explanation.—For the purposes of clause (c), information on the frequency with which applications for a subsidy are refused or approved and the reasons for such decisions shall, in particular, be considered.

(3) In applying the provisions of clause (c) of sub section (2), the Commission shall take into account the extent of diversification of economic activities within the jurisdiction of a granting authority and the length of time during which subsidy programme has been in operation.

(4) A subsidy which is limited to certain enterprises located within a designated geographical region within the jurisdiction of a granting authority shall be specific.

(5) The setting or changing of generally applicable tax rates by all levels of the government entitled to do so shall not be deemed to be a specific subsidy.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub sections (2), (3), (4) and (5), the following subsidies shall be deemed to be specific, namely:—

(a) subsidies contingent, in law or in fact, whether solely or as one of several other conditions, upon export performance, including those illustrated in the First Schedule:

Provided that subsidies shall be considered by the Commission to be contingent in fact upon export performance when the facts demonstrate that granting of a subsidy, without having been made legally contingent upon export performance, is in fact tied to actual or anticipated exportation or export earnings:

Provided further that the mere fact that a subsidy is accorded to enterprises which export shall not for that reason alone be considered by the Commission to be an export subsidy for the purposes of this clause; and

(b) subsidies contingent, whether solely or as one of several other conditions, upon the use of domestic over imported goods.

(7) Any determination of specificity by the Commission under this section shall be substantiated on the basis of positive evidence.

6. Non Countervailable subsidies.
Subsidies which are not specific as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 5, shall not be subjected to countervailing measures under this Act.

PART IV
CALCULATION OF THE AMOUNT OF COUNTERVAILABLE SUBSIDY

7. Calculation of amount of countervailable subsidy.
(1) The amount of countervailable subsidy, for the purposes of this Act, shall be calculated by the Commission in terms of any benefit conferred on a recipient which is found to exist during an investigation period for subsidization, which period shall normally be the most recent accounting year of the beneficiary but may be any other period of at least six months prior to initiation of an investigation for which reliable financial and other relevant data are available.

(2) In determining the amount of countervailable subsidy the Commission shall apply the following principles to calculate any benefit conferred on the recipient as referred to in sub section (1), namely:—

(a) government provisions of equity capital shall not be considered to confer any benefit, unless an investment can be regarded as inconsistent with the usual investment practice including, for the provision of risk capital of private investors in the territory of an exporting country;

(b) a loan by a government shall not be considered to confer any benefit, unless there is a difference between the amount that a firm receiving the government loan pays on it and the amount that the firm would pay for a comparable commercial loan which the firm could actually obtain on the market, in which event the benefit shall be the difference between these two amounts;

(c) a loan guarantee by a government shall not be considered to confer any benefit, unless there is a difference between the amount that a firm receiving the guarantee pays on the loan guaranteed by the government and the amount that the firm would pay for a comparable commercial loan in the absence of the guarantee, in which case the benefit shall be the difference between these two amounts, adjusted for any difference in fees; and

(d) a provision of goods or services or purchase of goods by a government shall not be considered to confer any benefit, unless the provision is made for less than adequate remuneration or the purchase is made for more than adequate remuneration, and the adequacy of remuneration shall be determined in relation to prevailing market conditions for the product or service in question in the country of provision or purchase including price, quality, availability, marketability, transportation and other conditions of purchase or sale.

8. General provisions on calculation of counter vailable subsidies.
(1) Subject to sub section (2), the amount of counter vailable subsidies shall be determined by the Commission in terms of subsidization per unit of an investigated product exported to Pakistan and in establishing such amount the following elements may be deducted from the total subsidy, namely:—

(a) any fee or other costs necessarily incurred in order to qualify for or, to obtain a subsidy;and

(b) export taxes, duties or other charges levied on export of an investigated product to Pakistan specifically intended to offset a subsidy.

(2) Where an interested party claims a deduction under sub section (1) such party shall prove to the Commission that the claim is justified.

(3) Where a subsidy is not granted by reference to the quantities manufactured, produced, exported or transported, the amount of counter vailable subsidy shall be determined by allocating the value of the total subsidy, as appropriate, over the level of production, sales or exports of the products concerned during an investigation period for subsidization.

(4) Where a subsidy can be linked to acquisition or future acquisition of fixed assets, the amount of counter vailable subsidy shall be calculated by spreading the subsidy across a period which reflects normal depreciation of such assets in the industry concerned, and the amount so calculated which is attributable to an investigation period, including that which derives from fixed asset acquired before such period, shall be allocated as provided for in sub section (2):

Provided that where assets are non depreciating, a subsidy shall be valued as an interest free loan, and be treated in accordance with the provisions of clause (b) of sub section (2) of section 7.

(5) Where a subsidy cannot be linked to acquisition of fixed assets, the amount of any benefit received during an investigation period shall, in principle, be attributed to this period, and allocated as provided for in sub section (2), unless special circumstances arise justifying attribution over a different period.

PART V
DETERMINATION OF INJURY

9. Determination of Injury.
(1) A determination of injury by the Commission shall be based on positive evidence and shall involve an objective examination of—

(a) volume of any subsidised imports and their effect on prices in domestic market for like products; and

(b) consequent impact of subsidised imports on domestic industry:

Explanation.—With regard to volume of any subsidised imports, consideration shall be given by the Commission to whether there has been a significant increase in subsidised imports, either in absolute terms or relative to production or consumption in Pakistan. With regard to effect of any subsidised imports on prices, consideration shall be given by the Commission to whether there has been significant price under cutting by the subsidised imports as compared with the price of a like product of domestic industry, or whether the effect of such imports is otherwise to depress prices to a significant degree or prevent price increases which would otherwise have occurred, to a significant degree, provided that no one or more of these factors shall be deemed to necessarily give decisive guidance.

(2) Where imports of a product from more than one country are simultaneously subject to an investigation, the effects of such imports may be cumulatively assessed by the Commission only if it determines that—

(a) The amount of subsidisation established in relation to the imports from each country is more than de minimus as defined in sub section (3) of section 15 and the volume of imports from each country is not negligible; and

(b) a cumulative assessment of the effects of the imports is appropriate in the light of conditions of competition between imported products and the conditions of competition between the imported products and a like domestic product.

(3) An examination by the Commission of an impact of subsidized imports on a domestic industry concerned may include an evaluation of all relevant economic factors and indices having a bearing on the state of the domestic industry including the fact that the domestic industry is still in the process of recovering from the effects of past subsidisation or dumping, the magnitude of the amount of counter vailable subsidies, actual and potential decline in sales, profits, output, market share, productivity, return on investments, utilization of capacity, factors affecting domestic prices, actual and potential negative effects on cash flow, inventories, employment, wages, growth, ability to raise capital or investments and, in the case of agriculture, whether there has been an increased burden on Government support programmes.

(4) The Commission shall satisfy itself that subsidised imports are, through the effects of subsidies, as set forth in sub sections (1) and (3), causing injury within the meaning of this Act. The consideration of a causal relationship between subsidised imports and injury to domestic industry shall be based on an examination by the Commission of all relevant evidence before it.

(5) The Commission shall examine known factors other than subsidised imports which are injuring domestic industry to ensure that injury caused by such other factors is not attributed to subsidised imports. Such other factors may include factors such as the volume and prices of non subsidised imports, contraction in demand or changes in patterns of consumption, restrictive trade practices of and competition between a foreign country and domestic producers, developments in technology and export performance and productivity of domestic industry.

(6) The effect of subsidised imports shall be assessed by the Commission in relation to the production by domestic industry of a like product when available data permits separate identification of that production on the basis of such criteria as the production process, producers' sales and profits:

Provided that where such separate identification of that production is not possible, the effects of subsidised imports shall be assessed by the Commission by examination of the production of the narrowest group or range of products including a like product, for which the necessary information can be provided.

(7) A determination of a threat of material injury by the Commission shall be based on facts and not merely on allegation, conjecture or remote possibility and any change in circumstances which would create a situation in which subsidy would cause injury must be foreseen and imminent.

(8) In making a determination regarding the existence of a threat of material injury, the Commission shall take into consideration factors such as—

(a) the nature of subsidy or subsidies in question and any trade effects likely to arise therefrom;

(b) any significant rate of increase of subsidised imports into a domestic market indicating the likelihood of substantially increased imports;

(c) sufficient freely disposable capacity of an exporter or an imminent substantial increase in such capacity indicating the likelihood of substantially increased subsidised exports into Pakistan, account being taken of the availability of other export markets to absorb any additional exports;

(d) whether imports are entering at prices that would, to a significant degree, depress prices or prevent price increases which otherwise would have occurred and would probably increase demand for further imports; and

(e) inventories of an investigated product.

Explanation.—None of the factors specified in sub section (8) by itself shall be deemed to necessarily give decisive guidance but the totality of the factors considered by the Commission must lead to the conclusion that further subsidised exports are imminent and that, unless protective action is taken, material injury will occur.

10. Further circumstances in which injury may be found to exist.
(1) Where domestic industry in relation to a product in question has been divided into two or more competitive markets and the producers within each such market regarded as a separate industry in accordance with the second proviso to clause (i) of section 2, injury may be found to exist even where a major portion of the total domestic industry does not suffer injury provided that, there is a concentration of subsidised imports into such a separated market, and provided further that the subsidised imports are causing injury to the producers of all or almost all of the production within such market.

(2) Where injury is found to exist in the circumstances referred to in sub section (1), the exporters or the government granting countervailable subsidies shall be given an opportunity to offer an undertaking in accordance with section 14 in respect of the region concerned or to cease exporting at subsidised prices to the region concerned prior to any countervailing measures being applied by the Commission under this Act.

(3) In the circumstances referred to in sub section (2), special account shall be taken by the Commission of any interest of the region and if an adequate undertaking is not offered promptly or if the situations set out in sub sections (13) and (14) of section 14 apply, a provisional or definitive countervailing duty may be imposed by the Commission in respect of domestic industry as a whole.

(4) The provisions of sub section (6) of section 9 shall apply to this section.

PART VI
INVESTIGATION

11. Initiation of investigation.
(1) Save as provided for in sub section (11), the Commission shall initiate an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged subsidy only upon receipt of a written application by or on behalf of domestic industry.

(2) An application shall be submitted to the Commission in such manner, number and form and with such fee as may be prescribed. It shall include sufficient evidence of the existence of a subsidy and, if possible, its amount, injury within the meaning of this Act and a causal link between the subsidized imports and the alleged injury. The application shall also contain such information as is reasonably available to an applicant on the following, namely:—

(a) identity of the applicant and a description of the volume and value of domestic production of a like product by the applicant:

Provided that where an application is made on behalf of domestic industry, the application shall identify the industry on behalf of which the application is made by a list of all known domestic producers of the like product or, association of domestic producers of the like product and, to the extent possible, a description of the volume and value of domestic production of the like product accounted for by such producers;

(b) a complete description of an allegedly subsidised product including its current customs tariff classification number as contained in the First Schedule to the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), the name of exporting country, identity of each known exporter or foreign producer, and a list of known persons importing the product in question;

(c) evidence with regard to the existence, amount, nature and countervailability of subsidy in question; and

(d) information on changes in volume of allegedly subsidised imports, the effect of those imports on prices of a like product in domestic market and the consequent impact of the imports on domestic industry as demonstrated by relevant factors and indices having a bearing on the state of domestic industry, such as those listed in the explanation to sub section (1) of section 9, and in sub section (3) of section 9.

(3) The Commission shall examine the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence provided in an application to determine whether it is compliant with the requirements of sub section (2) and in order to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify initiation of an investigation.

(4) An investigation may be initiated by the Commission in order to determine whether or not the alleged subsidies are specific in accordance with the principles set out in section 5.

(5) An investigation may also be initiated by the Commission in respect of subsidies which are non countervailable in accordance with the provisions of section 6 in order to determine whether or not the conditions set out therein have been met.

(6) An investigation may be initiated by the Commission in respect of measures of any type to the extent that they contain an element of subsidy as defined in section 4.

(7) An investigation shall not be initiated by the Commission pursuant to sub section (1) unless the Commission is satisfied, on the basis of an examination as to the degree of support for, or opposition to, an application expressed by domestic producers of a like product, that the application has been made by or on behalf of domestic industry.

(8) An application shall be considered to have been made by or on behalf of domestic industry if it is supported by those domestic producers whose collective output constitutes more than fifty percent of the total production of a like product produced by that portion of domestic industry expressing either support for or opposition to the application:

Provided that no investigation shall be initiated by the Commission when domestic producers expressly supporting an application account for less than twenty five percent of the total production of a like product produced by domestic industry.

(9) The Commission shall, as soon as possible after receipt of a properly documented application in accordance with the requirements of section 11, and in any event before initiation of an investigation, give notice to an exporting country, which shall be invited for consultations with the aim of clarifying the situation as to matters referred to in sub section (2) and arriving at a mutually agreed solution.

(10) The Commission may, suo moto, initiate an investigation without having received a written application by or on behalf of domestic industry if it has sufficient evidence of the existence of countervailable subsidies and injury within the meaning of this Act.

(11) The evidence both of subsidy and of injury shall be considered simultaneously by the Commission in the decision on whether or not to initiate an investigation and an application shall be rejected where there is insufficient evidence of either countervailable subsidies or of injury to justify initiation of an investigation:

Provided that an investigation shall not be initiated against countries whose imports represent a market share of below one per cent unless such countries collectively account for three per cent or more of domestic consumption.

(12) An application may be withdrawn by an applicant prior to initiation of an investigation by the Commission, in which case it shall, subject to the provisions of sub section (1) of section 15, be deemed not to have been made:

Provided that upon withdrawal of an application any fee paid by an applicant pursuant to sub section (2) shall stand forfeited in favour of the Commission.

(13) Where, after consultation with an exporting country as provided for in sub section (10), the Commission is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to justify initiating an investigation, the Commission shall give notice of such decision by means of a public notice of initiation of an investigation, and the initiation of an investigation shall be effective on the date on which such notice is published.

(14) Where the Commission does not consider it appropriate to initiate an investigation it shall inform an applicant of its decision.

(15) The public notice of initiation of an investigation referred to in subsection (14) shall announce initiation of an investigation, indicate the product and countries concerned, give a summary of the information received, provide that all relevant information is to be communicated to the Commission, state the periods within which any interested party may make itself known, present its views in writing and submit information if such views and information are to be taken into account during the investigation and shall also state the period within which interested parties may apply to be heard by the Commission in accordance with sub section (4) of section 12.

(16) The Commission shall advise any exporters, importers and any association of importers or exporters known to it to be concerned, as well as an exporting country and an applicant, of initiation of an investigation and, subject to the requirements of section 29, provide the full text of an application to the known exporters and to the authorities of an exporting country, and make it available upon request to other interested parties involved:

Provided that, where the Commission determines that the number of exporters involved is particularly high, the full text of a written complaint may instead be provided by the Commission only to the authorities of an exporting country or to a relevant association.

(17) An investigation shall not hinder the procedures of customs clearance.

12. Principles governing investigation.
(1) Following initiation of an investigation, the Commission shall commence an investigation and such investigation shall cover both subsidisation and injury which, shall be investigated simultaneously.

(2) For the purpose of,—

(a) a representative finding, an investigation period shall be selected by the Commission which, in the case of subsidisation shall, normally, cover an investigation period provided for in section 7 and information relating to a period subsequent to the investigation period shall not, normally, be taken into account by the Commission; and

(b) an investigation of injury, the investigation period shall normally cover thirty six months:

Provided that the Commission may at its sole discretion, select a shorter or longer period if it deems it appropriate in view of available information regarding domestic industry and an investigated product.

(3) Parties receiving questionnaires from the Commission used in a countervailing duty investigation shall be given at least thirty days to reply and such time limit for exporters shall be counted from the date of receipt of the questionnaire which, for this purpose shall be deemed to have been received one week from the day on which it was sent to a respondent or transmitted to an appropriate diplomatic representative of an exporting country:

Provided that where a party shows due cause for an extension to the satisfaction of the Commission, an extension of not more than thirty days may be granted by the Commission at its discretion.

(4) Any interested party which has made itself known in accordance with sub section (16) of section 11 shall be heard by the Commission if it has, within the period prescribed in a public notice of initiation of an investigation made a written request for hearing showing that it is an interested party likely to be affected by the result of an investigation and that there are particular reasons why it should be heard.

(5) Opportunities shall, on request, be provided for any importers, exporters and an applicant, which have made themselves known in accordance with subsection (16) of section 11 and the government of an exporting country to meet those parties having adverse interests, so that opposing views may be presented and rebuttal arguments offered. Provision of such opportunities shall take account of the need to preserve confidentiality and of convenience of the parties. There shall be no obligation on any party to attend such meeting and failure to do so shall not be prejudicial to that party's case. Oral information provided under this sub section shall only be taken into account by the Commission to the extent that the same is subsequently confirmed in writing and provided to the Commission.

(6) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 42, an applicant, the government of an exporting country, importers and exporters and their representative associations, which have made themselves known in accordance with sub section (16) of section 11, may, upon written request, inspect all information made available to the Commission by any party to an investigation, as distinct from internal documents prepared by the Commission, which is relevant to presentation of their cases and is not confidential within the meaning of section 29, and that it is used in an investigation. Such parties may respond to such information and their comments shall be taken into consideration wherever they are sufficiently substantiated in a response.

(7) Save as provided for in section 28, any information which is supplied by interested parties and upon which findings are based shall, to the extent possible, be examined for accuracy by the Commission.

(8) An investigation shall, whenever possible, be concluded within one year and in no event later than eighteen months from its initiation, in accordance with the findings made pursuant to section 14 for undertakings or the findings made pursuant to section 16 for definitive action.

(9) Throughout an investigation, the Commission shall afford an exporting country a reasonable opportunity to continue consultations with a view to clarifying the factual situation and arriving at a mutually agreed solution:

Provided that the Commission may continue an investigation during such consultations.

(10) The Commission shall allow industrial users of an investigated product in Pakistan, and representative consumer organisations in cases where the investigated product is commonly sold at retail level in Pakistan to provide to the Commission, in writing, no later than two months after initiation of an investigation, information concerning matters relevant to the investigation regarding subsidisation dumping and injury.

PART VII
PROVISIONAL COUNTERVAILING MEASURES

13. Provisional countervailing duties.
(1) Provisional countervailing duty shall be imposed by the Commission if —

(a) an investigation has been initiated by the Commission in accordance with section 11;

(b) a public notice of initiation of an investigation has been given and interested parties have been given adequate opportunities to submit information and make comments in accordance with sub-section (16) of section 11; and

(c) a provisional affirmative determination has been made by the Commission that a subsidy exists and that there is consequent injury to domestic industry.

(2) A provisional countervailing duty shall not be imposed earlier than sixty days from initiation of an investigation but no later than nine months from initiation of the investigation and shall be in an amount equal to the total amount of countervailable subsidies as provisionally established by the Commission:

Provided that the amount of the provisional countervailing duty shall not exceed the total amount of subsidisation as provisionally established, but it may be less than the margin if such lesser duty would be adequate to remove the injury to the Domestic Industry.

(3) A provisional countervailing duty shall be in the form of cash deposit equal to or less than, the amount of the provisionally calculated amount of subsidisation, if such lesser duty would be adequate to remove the injury:

Provided that the release of a product concerned for free circulation in Pakistan shall be subject to provisions of such cash deposit.

(4) A provisional countervailing duty shall be imposed for a period not exceeding four months.

PART VIII
UNDERTAKINGS AND TERMINATION WITHOUT MEASURES

14. Undertakings.
(1) An investigation may be terminated by the Commission without imposition of provisional or definitive countervailing duties upon receipt of a satisfactory voluntary undertaking under which—

(a) an exporting country agrees to eliminate or limit subsidy or take other measures concerning its effects; or

(b) any exporter undertakes to revise its prices or to cease exports in question as long as such exports benefit from countervailable subsidies, so that the Commission is satisfied that the injurious effect of the subsidies is eliminated.

(2) Price increases under such undertakings shall not be higher than those which are necessary to offset the amount of countervailable subsidies and shall be less than the amount of countervailable subsidies if such increases would be adequate to remove injury to domestic industry.

(3) Undertakings may be suggested by the Commission but no country or exporter shall be obliged to enter into such an undertaking and the fact that countries or exporters do not offer such undertakings, or do not accept an invitation to do so, shall in no way prejudice the outcome of an investigation by the Commission:

Provided that the Commission may in such circumstances determine that a threat of injury is more likely to be realised if the subsidised imports continue.

(4) Undertakings shall not be sought or accepted by the Commission from countries or exporters unless a provisional affirmative determination of subsidisation and injury caused by such subsidisation has been made by the Commission.

(5) Save in exceptional circumstances, undertakings may not be offered later than the end of the period during which representations may be made pursuant to sub section (7) of section 30.

(6) The decision to accept an undertaking shall rest with the Commission.

Explanation.— The Commission may not accept a price undertaking if it considers the acceptance thereof to be impractical because the number of actual or potential exporters is too great or for reasons of general policy or for any other reason.

(7) An exporting country or exporter concerned may be provided with the reasons for which it is proposed to reject an offer of an undertaking and may be given an opportunity to make comments thereon and the reasons for rejection shall be set out in a definitive decision by the Commission.

(8) Parties which offer an undertaking shall be required to provide a non confidential version of such undertaking so that it may be made available to interested parties to an investigation.

(9) If an undertaking is accepted by the Commission, it shall nevertheless complete an investigation if it receives a request from an exporting country or exporter in writing to continue such investigation or where the Commission so decides on its own accord.

(10) In the event the Commission makes a negative determination of subsidisation and injury pursuant to an investigation continued under sub section (9), an undertaking in question shall automatically lapse except in cases where the Commission determines that such a determination is due in large part to the existence of such undertaking in which case the Commission may require that such undertaking be maintained for a reasonable period of time to be determined by the Commission.

(11) In the event the Commission makes an affirmative determination of subsidisation and injury pursuant to an investigation continued pursuant to sub section (9), an undertaking in question shall continue consistent with the provisions of this Act.

(12) The Commission may require any country or exporter from whom an undertaking has been accepted to provide, periodically, information relevant to the fulfilment of such undertaking and to permit verification of such information.

(13) Failure to provide any information requested by the Commission pursuant to sub section (12)shall be deemed to be a violation of an undertaking in question.

(14) Where undertakings are accepted from certain exporters during the course of an investigation, they shall, for the purpose of sections 19, 20, 21 and 23 be deemed to take effect from the date on which the investigation is concluded for an exporting country.

(15) If an undertaking is violated or deemed to be violated, the Commission may, subject to the provisions of this Act, take expeditious actions, which may include immediate application of provisional measures using the best information available. In such cases, a definitive countervailing duty may be levied in accordance with the provisions of this Act on products entered for domestic consumption not more than ninety days before the application of such provisional measures, except that any such retroactive assessment shall not apply to imports entered before such violation of the undertaking.

15. Termination of investigation without measures.
(1) An application submitted pursuant to section 11 may be withdrawn at any time after an investigation has been initiated, in which case the Commission shall terminate the investigation without imposition of any measures provided for in this Act:

Provided that the Commission may, if it considers it fit to do so, continue an investigation notwithstanding the withdrawal of an application in which event, the Commission may, subject to the provisions of this Act impose such measures as are provided for in this Act.

(2) Where, the Commission determines in accordance with the provisions of sub sections (3), (4), (5), and (6) that the amount of countervailable subsidies is negligible or, where the volume of subsidised imports, whether actual or potential, or injury is negligible then it shall immediately terminate an investigation.

(3) The amount of countervailable subsidies shall be considered to be negligible if such amount is less than one per cent ad valorem, except that in the case of investigations concerning imports from developing countries the negligible subsidy threshold shall be two per cent ad valorem.

(4) Injury shall normally be regarded as negligible where the market share of any imports is less than the amounts set out in the proviso to sub section (12) of section 11.

(5) In the case of an investigation concerning imports from developing countries, the volume of subsidised imports shall be considered negligible if it represents less than four per cent of the total imports of a like product in Pakistan, unless imports from developing countries whose individual shares of total imports represent less than four per cent collectively account for more than nine per cent of the total imports of a like product in Pakistan.

(6) In the case of an investigation concerning imports from countries other than developing countries, the volume of subsidised imports shall be considered negligible if it represents less than three per cent of the total imports of a like product in Pakistan, unless imports from such countries under investigation which individually account for less than three per cent of the total imports of a like product in Pakistan collectively account for more than seven per cent of imports of the like product in Pakistan.

(7) Termination of an investigation under this Act or conclusion of an investigation without imposition of measures shall not be a bar to filing of a de novo application for a new investigation immediately after termination or conclusion of the investigation. The Commission shall treat the application in accordance with provisions of this Act.

PART IX
DEFINITIVE COUNTERVAILING DUTIES

16. Imposition of definitive countervailing duties.
(1) Where the Commission has established the existence of countervailable subsidies and injury caused thereby, a definitive countervailing duty shall be imposed by the Commission, unless the subsidy in question is withdrawn or it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Commission that the subsidies no longer confer any benefit on any exporters involved.

(2) A definitive countervailing duty shall be an amount equal to or less than the amount of countervailable subsidies from which any exporters have been found to benefit, as established by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this Act:

Provided that the amount of the countervailing duty shall not exceed the total amount of subsidisation established but it may be less than the total amount if such lesser duty would be adequate to remove injury to the domestic industry.

(3) A definitive countervailing duty shall be imposed in an appropriate amount in each case, on a non discriminatory basis, on imports of a product from all sources found to benefit from countervailable subsidies and causing injury except as to imports from those sources from which undertakings under section 14 have been accepted by the Commission.

(4) When the Commission has limited its examination in accordance with section 27, any definitive countervailing duty applied to imports from exporters or producers which have made themselves known in accordance with section 27 but were not included in an examination shall not exceed the weighted average amount of countervailable subsidies established for parties in a sample.

(5) For the purposes of sub section (4), the Commission shall disregard any negligible amounts of countervailable subsidies and amounts of countervailable subsidies established in the circumstances referred to in section 28.

(6) Individual duties shall be applied to imports from any exporter or producer for which an individual amount of subsidisation has been calculated as provided for in section 27.

PART X
RETROACTIVITY

17. Retroactivity.
(1) Save as otherwise provided in this section, provisional and definitive countervailing duties shall only be applied to products which enter Pakistan for consumption after the time when the requirements set out in sub section (1) of section 13 and sub section (1) of section 16, as the case may be, have been fulfilled.

(2) Where the Commission makes a final determination of injury, but not of a threat thereof or of material retardation of the establishment of an industry or, in the case of a final determination of a threat of injury, where the Commission determines that the effect of subsidised imports would, in the absence of provisional measures, have led to a determination of injury, definitive countervailing duties shall be levied by the Commission retroactively for the period for which provisional duty, if any, have been applied.

(3) If a definitive countervailing duty imposed by the Commission pursuant to sub section (2) is higher than a provisional countervailing duty, the difference shall not be collected:

Provided that where a definitive countervailing duty is lower than a provisional countervailing duty, the duty difference shall be refunded by the Commission in an expeditious manner.

(4) Save as provided for in sub section (3), where the Commission makes a determination of threat of injury or material retardation but, no injury has yet occurred, a definitive countervailing duty shall be imposed by the Commission only from the date of the determination of threat of injury or material retardation and any cash deposit provided during the period of application of provisional countervailing duty shall be refunded by the Commission in an expeditious manner.

(5) Where the Commission makes a negative final determination any cash deposit provided during the period of application of provisional countervailing duties shall be refunded by the Commission in an expeditious manner.

(6) A definitive countervailing duty shall be imposed by the Commission on products, which were imported for consumption not more than ninety days prior to the date of application of provisional countervailing duty if, the Commission determines, for an investigated product in question, that injury which is difficult to repair, is caused by massive imports in a relatively short period of a product benefiting from a countervailable subsidy and the Commission deems it necessary to impose such duty in order to preclude the recurrence of such injury.

PART XI
DURATION, REVIEWS AND REFUNDS, AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

18. Duration of definitive countervailing duty.
Subject to the provisions of this Act, a definitive countervailing duty imposed pursuant to this Act shall remain in force only as long as, and to the extent that, it is necessary to counteract countervailable subsidies which are causing injury.

19. Expiry Reviews.
(1) A definitive countervailing duty shall expire after five years from its imposition or five years from the date of the most recent review which has covered both subsidisation and injury, unless it is determined in a review that the expiry would be likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of subsidisation and injury. Such an expiry review may be initiated, on an initiative of the Commission or, upon a request made by or on behalf of domestic producers, and the measure in question shall remain in force pending the outcome of such review.

(2) An expiry review shall be initiated by the Commission upon request made by or on behalf of domestic producers where such request contains sufficient evidence that the expiry of a measure in question would be likely to result in a continuation or recurrence of subsidisation and injury.

Explanation.—Such a likelihood may, for example, be indicated by evidence of continued subsidisation and injury or evidence that the removal of injury is partly or solely due to the existence of measures or evidence that the circumstances of exporters, or market conditions, are such that they would indicate the likelihood of further injurious subsidisation.

(3) In carrying out investigations under this section, the Commission shall provide any exporters, importers, an exporting country and domestic producers with the opportunity to amplify, rebut or comment on the matters set out in a review request, and conclusions shall be reached by the Commission with due account taken of all relevant and duly documented evidence presented in relation to the question as to whether the expiry of measures would be likely, or unlikely, to lead to the continuation or recurrence of subsidisation and injury.

(4) The Commission shall notify an impending expiry by a public notice which shall be published at an appropriate time, as determined by the Commission, in the final year of the period of application of a measure in question and a public notice announcing the actual expiry of a measure under this section shall also be published by the Commission.

20. Interim Reviews.
(1) The need for continued imposition of measures under this Act may also be reviewed, where warranted on an initiative of the Commission or, provided that a period of at least twenty four months has elapsed since the imposition of definitive countervailing duty, upon a request by any exporter, importer or by domestic producers or an exporting country which contains sufficient evidence substantiating the need for such an interim review.

(2) An interim review under sub section (1) shall be initiated by the Commission where a request contains sufficient evidence that the continued imposition of a measure is no longer necessary to offset countervailable subsidy or that injury would be unlikely to continue or recur if a measure were removed or varied, or that an existing measure is not, or is no longer, sufficient to counteract countervailable subsidy which is causing injury:

Provided that the Commission may require an applicant requesting a review under sub section (1) to fill in an additional questionnaire provided by it requiring such information and for such period as the Commission deems necessary before such review is initiated in which case the review shall be initiated following the receipt by the Commission of such questionnaire duly filled in.

(3) In carrying out investigations pursuant to this section, the Commission may, in addition to other factors considered relevant by it, consider whether the circumstances with regard to subsidisation and injury have changed significantly, or whether existing measures are achieving the intended results in removing an injury previously established under section 9.

21. Accelerated Reviews.
(1) Any exporter whose exports are subject to a definitive countervailing duty but who was not individually investigated during an original investigation for reasons other than a refusal to co operate with the Commission, shall be entitled, upon request, to an accelerated review in order that the Commission may promptly establish an individual countervailing duty rate for that exporter provided that such review shall be initiated after domestic producers have been given an opportunity to comment.

(2) The Commission may require an applicant requesting a review under sub section (1) to fill in an additional questionnaire provided by it before such review is initiated in which case a review under sub section (1) shall be initiated following the receipt by the Commission of such questionnaire duly filled in.

22. Refunds.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 19, an importer may apply to the Commission for refund of duties collected where it is shown that the amount of countervailable subsidies, on the basis of which duties were paid, has been either eliminated or reduced to a level which is below the level of the duty in force.

(2) An importer may submit an application for refund of countervailing duties collected within any twelve months period to the Commission no later than sixty days from the end of such period.

(3) An application for refund shall be considered to be duly supported by evidence only where it contains precise information on the amount of refund of countervailing duties claimed and all customs documentation relating to the calculation and payment of such amount and includes evidence, for a representative period, of the amount of countervailable subsidies for any exporter or producer to which the duty applies:

Provided that, where the importer is not associated with any exporter or producer concerned and such information is not immediately available, or where any exporter or producer is unwilling to release it to an importer, the application for refund shall contain a statement from the exporter or producer that the amount of countervailable subsidies has been reduced or eliminated, as specified in this section, and that the relevant supporting evidence will be provided to the Commission:

Provided further that where such evidence is not forthcoming from any exporter or producer within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the Commission, the application shall be rejected by the Commission.

(4) The Commission shall determine whether and to what extent an application should be granted, or it may decide at any time to initiate an interim review, whereupon any information and findings from such review, carried out in accordance with the provisions applicable for such review, shall be used to determine whether and to what extent a refund is justified.

(5) A refund of countervailing duties under this section shall normally take place within twelve months, and in no circumstances more than eighteen months after the date on which a request for a refund, duly supported by evidence, has been made by an importer of a product subject to countervailing duty.

23. General provisions on reviews and refund.
(1) The provisions of sections 11 and 12, excluding those relating to time limits, shall mutatis mutandis apply to any review carried out pursuant to sections 19, 20 and 21.

(2) Any review pursuant to sections 19, 20 or 21 shall be carried out by the Commission expeditiously and shall normally be concluded within twelve months of the date of initiation of the review.

(3) Where a review pursuant to section 20 is in progress at the end of the period of application of a measure as defined in section 19, the measure shall also be investigated under the provisions of section 19.

(4) In any review or refund investigation carried out pursuant to sections 19 to 22, the Commission shall, provided that circumstances have not changed, apply the same methodology as in an investigation which led to the duty, with due account being taken of sections 7, 8 and 27.

24. Anti circumvention measures.
(1) Countervailing duties imposed pursuant to this Act may be extended to imports from third countries, of the like product, whether slightly modified or not, or to imports of the slightly modified like product from the country subject to measures, or parts thereof, when circumvention of the measures in force is taking place. Countervailing duties not exceeding the residual countervailing duty imposed in accordance with section 16 may be extended to imports from companies benefiting from individual duties in the countries subject to measures when circumvention of the measures in force is taking place. Circumvention shall be defined as a change in the pattern of trade between third countries and Pakistan or between individual companies in the country subject to measures by Pakistan, which stems from a practice, process or work for which there is insufficient due cause or economic justification other than the imposition of the duty, and where there is evidence of injury or that the remedial effects of the duty are being undermined in terms of the prices or quantities of the like product, and where there is evidence of subsidy previously established for the like product, if necessary in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(2) The practice, process or work referred to in sub section (1) includes, inter alia, the slight modification of the product concerned to make it fall under customs tariff which are normally not subject to the measures, provided that the modification does not alter its essential characteristics, the consignment of the product subject to measures via third countries, the re organisation by exporters or producers of their patterns and channels of sales in the country subject to measures in order to eventually have their products exported to Pakistan through producers benefiting from an individual duty rate lower than that applicable to the products of the manufacturers, and, in the circumstances indicated in sub section (3), the assembly of parts by an assembly operation in Pakistan or a third country.

(3) An assembly operation in Pakistan or a third country shall be considered to circumvent the measures in force where the,—

(a) operation started or substantially increased since, or just prior to, the initiation of the investigation and the parts concerned are from the country subject to measures;

(b) parts constitute sixty percent or more of the total value of the parts of the assembled product, except that in no case shall circumvention be considered to be taking place where the value added to the parts brought in, during the assembly or completion operation, is greater than twenty five percent of the manufacturing cost; and

(c) remedial effects of the duty are being undermined in terms of the prices or quantities of the assembled like product and there is evidence of subsidy previously established for the like or similar products.

(4) Investigations shall be initiated pursuant to this section on the initiative of the Commission or at the request of any interested party on the basis of sufficient evidence regarding the factors set out in sub section (1) and (2). Investigations shall be concluded by the Commission within nine months.

25. General provisions.
(1) Countervailing duties, provisional or definitive, as the case may be, imposed under this Ordinance shall

(a) take the form of ad valorem or specific duties:

Provided that provisional countervailing shall take the form of cash deposits equal to the amount of a provisionally calculated amount of subsidization;

(b) be imposed in addition to other import duties levied on an investigated product; and

(c) be collected in the same manner as customs duties under the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969)

(d) will not be levied on imports that are to be used as inputs in products destined solely for exports and are covered under any scheme exempting customs duty for exports under the Customs Act, 1969.

(2) No product shall be subject to both anti dumping duties and countervailing duties, under their respective laws for the time being in force, under this Act for the purpose of dealing with one and the same situation arising from dumping or from export subsidization:

Provided that sub section (2) shall not prohibit or prevent, concurrent investigations of the same product under the laws specified therein.

(3) The decisions regarding imposition of provisional or definitive countervailing duties, and notices regarding acceptance of undertakings or terminating an investigation, shall be published by the Commission in a public notice which shall contain, in particular, and with due regard to the protection of confidential information in accordance with section 29, the names of exporters, if possible, or of the countries involved, a description of the product and a summary of the facts and considerations relevant to subsidy and injury determinations and in each case, a copy of the said notice shall be sent to the known interested parties.

(4) The provisions of sub section (3) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to reviews under this Act.

(5) The Commission shall establish and maintain a non lapseable personal ledger account in its name for the purpose of this Act and all duties and fees payable under and collected pursuant to this Act shall be held in such account.

(6) The account established under sub section (5) shall be maintained and operated in such manner as may be prescribed.

PART XII
VERIFICATION VISITS, SAMPLING, NON COOPERATION,
CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE

26. Verification visits.
(1) The Commission may, where it considers it appropriate, carry out visits to examine the records of importers, exporters, traders, agents, producers, trade associations and organisations, to verify information provided on subsidisation and injury:

Provided that in the absence of a proper and timely reply a verification visit may not be carried out.

(2) The Commission may carry out investigations in third countries as required, provided that—

(a) it obtains consent of an entity concerned;

(b) it gives notice to a country in question; and

(c) the country in question does not object to an investigation.

(3) As soon as consent of an entity concerned has been obtained the Commission shall give notice to an exporting country of the name and address of the entity to be visited and the dates agreed.

(4) An entity concerned shall be advised of the nature of information to be verified during verification visits and of any further information which needs to be provided during such visits:

Provided that this shall not preclude the Commission from requiring further information or verification.

27. Sampling.
(1) Where the Commission determines that the number of complainants, exporters or importers, types of product or transactions is large, the Commission may limit an investigation to—

(a) a reasonable number of parties, products or transactions by using samples which are statistically valid on the basis of information available at the time of selection; or

(b) to the largest representative volume of any production, sales or exports which can reasonably be investigated within the time available.

(2) The selection of parties, types of products or transactions made under this section shall rest with the Commission:

Provided that preference shall be given by the Commission to choosing a sample in consultation with, and with the consent of, the parties concerned:

Provided further that such parties make themselves known and make sufficient information available to the Commission, within three weeks of initiation of an investigation, to enable a representative sample to be chosen.

(3) In cases where the examination has been limited in accordance with this section, an individual amount of countervailable subsidisation shall, nevertheless, be calculated by the Commission for any exporter or producer not initially selected who submits the necessary information within the time limits provided for in this Act except where the Commission determines that the number of exporters or producers is so large that individual examinations would be unduly burdensome and would prevent completion of an investigation within the applicable time limits.

(4) Where the Commission has decided to undertake a sample as provided for in this section and there is a degree of non cooperation by some or all of the parties selected which is likely to materially affect the outcome of an investigation, a new sample may be selected by the Commission:

Provided that if a material degree of non cooperation persists or there is insufficient time to select a new sample, the relevant provisions of section 28 shall apply.

28. Non cooperation.
(1) Where any interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not provide, necessary information within the time limits provided in this Act, or significantly impedes an investigation, provisional or final determinations, whether affirmative or negative, may be made by the Commission on the basis of the facts available

(2) Where the Commission establishes that any interested party has supplied false or misleading information, such information shall be disregarded and use may be made by the Commission of the facts available.

(3) Where any information submitted by an interested party is not ideal in all respects it shall nevertheless not be disregarded by the Commission:

Provided that the Commission is satisfied that any deficiencies are not such as to cause undue difficulty in arriving at a reasonably accurate finding and that the information is appropriately submitted in good time and is verifiable, and that the party has acted to the best of its ability.

(4) If evidence or information is not accepted by the Commission, a supplying party shall be informed forthwith of the reasons therefore and shall be granted an opportunity to provide further explanations within such time limit as the Commission may specify.

(5) If determinations, including those regarding the amount of countervailable subsidies, are based on the provisions of sub section (1) including any information supplied in an application it shall, where practicable and with due regard to the time limits of an investigation, be checked by the Commission by reference to information from other independent sources which may be available including published price lists, official import statistics and customs returns, or information obtained from other interested parties during the investigation.

(6) If an interested party does not co operate, or co operates only partially so that relevant information is thereby withheld, the Commission may reach preliminary and final determinations, whether affirmative or negative, on the basis of the best information available.

29. Confidentiality.
(1) Subject to sub section (2), the Commission shall, during and after an investigation, keep confidential any information submitted to it and which is entitled to such treatment. Such information shall not be disclosed without specific permission of the party submitting it.

(2) Information which is

(a) by nature confidential, because its disclosure shall be of significant competitive advantage to a competitor, or because its disclosure would have a significantly adverse effect upon a person supplying the information, or upon a person from whom the information was acquired, or where the Commission determines such information to be of a confidential nature for any other reason; or

(b) provided on a confidential basis by parties to an investigation, shall, upon good cause shown, be treated as confidential by the Commission.

(3) The following types of information shall be deemed to be by nature confidential, unless the Commission determines that disclosure in a particular case would neither be of significant competitive advantage to a competitor nor have a significantly adverse effect upon a person supplying an information or upon a person from whom such information was acquired, namely:—

(a) business or trade secrets concerning the nature of a product, production processes, operations, production equipment, or machinery;

(b) information concerning financial condition of a company, which is not publicly available;and

(c) information concerning costs, identification of customers, sales, inventories, shipments, or amount or source of any income, profit, loss or expenditure related to the manufacture and sale of a product.

(4) Any party seeking any information to be kept confidential shall request for the same at the time the information is submitted, along with the reasons warranting confidentiality. The Commission shall consider such requests expeditiously and inform the party submitting the information if it determines that the request for keeping the information confidential is not warranted.

(5) Any party submitting any information with the request to keep it confidential shall furnish a non confidential summary thereof. Such summary may take the form of ranges or indexation of figures provided in a confidential version, or marked deletions in text or in such other form as the Commission may require:

Provided that such non confidential summary shall permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of any information submitted in confidence:

Provided further that the deletion in text shall, unless otherwise allowed by the Commission, only relate to names of any buyer or supplier.

(6) In exceptional circumstances, parties may indicate that information for which confidentiality is sought is not susceptible of summary, in which case a statement of the reasons why summarisation is not possible shall be provided:

Provided that where the Commission concludes that a non confidential summary provided fails to satisfy the requirements of sub section (5), it may determine that the request for keeping an information confidential is not warranted.

(7) If the Commission finds that a request for keeping an information confidential is not warranted, and if the supplier of the information is unwilling to make the information public or to authorise the disclosure in generalised or summary form, the Commission shall disregard such information, and return the information concerned to the party submitting it.

(8) Save for sub section (10), notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, any confidential information received or obtained, directly or indirectly, by the Commission pursuant to or in connection with an investigation shall not be subject to disclosure by the Commission to any Ministry, Division, department, agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government or a Provincial Government without the prior permission of the party submitting such confidential information:

(9) Information received pursuant to this Act shall be used only for the purpose for which it was requested.

(10) The provisions of sub section (8) shall not preclude the supply of information called for by the Appellate Tribunal pursuant to section 33:

Provided that the obligation to protect confidential information as provided for in this Chapter shall, mutatis mutandis, extend to the Appellate Tribunal, subject to the proviso to sub section (8).

30. Disclosure.
(1) Any applicant, importer and exporter and their representative association and an exporting country may request disclosure by the Commission of the details underlying the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which provisional countervailing duties have been imposed:

Provided that requests for such disclosure shall be made in writing immediately following imposition of provisional countervailing duties and in any event no later than fifteen days there of and a disclosure by the Commission shall be made in writing as soon as possible thereafter.

(2) The parties specified in sub section (1) may request for a final disclosure by the Commission of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it is intended to recommend imposition of definitive countervailing duties, or termination of an investigation or proceedings without imposition of duties, particular attention being paid to disclosure of any facts or considerations which are different from those used for any provisional countervailing duties.

(3) Requests for final disclosure shall be addressed to the Commission in writing and be received, in cases where provisional countervailing duty has been applied, not later than one month after imposition of that duty.

(4) Where a provisional countervailing duty has not been imposed, parties shall be provided with an opportunity to request final disclosure within such time limits as may be determined by the Commission.

(5) Final disclosure shall be given in writing and shall be made, with due regard to the protection of confidential information pursuant to section 29, as soon as possible, and normally, not later than one month prior to a definitive determination.

(6) Where the Commission is not in a position to disclose certain facts or considerations at that time, these shall be disclosed as soon as possible thereafter. Disclosure shall not prejudice any subsequent decision which may be taken by the Commission but where such decision is based on any different facts and considerations these shall be disclosed as soon as possible.

(7) Representations which are made after a final disclosure is given, shall be taken into consideration only if received within such period as may be determined by the Commission in each case, which shall be at least ten days, due consideration being given to the urgency of the matter.

31. Relationships between countervailing duty measures and multilateral remedies.
Where an investigated product is made subject to any counter measures imposed following recourse to the dispute settlement procedures provided for in the Agreement on Subsidies and such measures are appropriate to remove the injury caused by any countervailable subsidies, any countervailing duty imposed with regard to such product under this Act shall immediately be terminated by the Commission.

PART XIII
APPEAL TO THE APPELLATE TRIBUNAL

32. Appeal to the Appellate Tribunal.
(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of Anti Dumping Law for the time being inforce, the Appellate Tribunal shall also exercise jurisdiction under sub section (2) under this Act.

(2) Any interested party may prefer an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal against,—

(a) the initiation of an investigation or a preliminary determination, where it is alleged that it does not satisfy the requirements of section 11 and section 13 respectively;

(b) an affirmative or negative final determination by the Commission;

(c) any final determination pursuant to a review;

(d) an order of the Commission for termination of investigation under section 15; or

(e) a determination of the Commission under section 22.

(3) An appeal under clause (a) of sub section (2) shall be filed within thirty days of the publication of notice of initiation or notice preliminary determination, as the case may be.

(4) The Appellate Tribunal shall handle such an appeal as a priority and shall issue its decision on the appeal within thirty days of the filing of an appeal with the Appellate Tribunal.

(5) The filing of an appeal under clause (a) of sub section (2) shall have no effect on the Commission's conduct of investigation.

(6) An appeal under clauses (b) to (e) of sub section (2) shall be filed within forty five days from the date of publication in newspapers of a public notice or as the case may be, date of the decision of the Commission of any affirmative or negative final decision or determination or termination of investigation by the Commission, and shall be in such form and contain such information as may be prescribed.

(7) Such an appeal shall be disposed of and the decision of the Appellate Tribunal pronounced, as expeditiously as possible, but no later than forty five days from the date of receipt of an appeal compliant with the requirements contained in this Act, except in extraordinary circumstances and on grounds to be recorded. The Appellate Tribunal shall hear the appeal from day to day.

(8) In examining an appeal under sub section (2), the Appellate Tribunal may make such further inquiry as it may consider necessary, and after giving the Commission and an appellant an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as it thinks fit, confirming, altering or annulling a determination of the Commission appealed against:

Provided that in case the Appellate Tribunal decision requires action by the Commission, it shall remand the case to the Commission for decision.

(9) After examining the appeal, the Appellate Tribunal shall assess the facts related to the impugned determination of the Commission. The Appellate Tribunal shall determine whether the establishment of the facts of the Commission was proper and whether the Commission's evaluation of those facts was unbiased and objective. The Appellate Tribunal shall base its determination on the official record maintained by the Commission or any other documents relied upon by the Commission in reaching the impugned determination.

(10) Where the Appellate Tribunal determines that the Commission's establishment of the facts was proper and its evaluation was unbiased and objective, it shall confirm the impugned determination of the Commission provided that the Appellate Tribunal is satisfied that in reaching its determination, the Commission complied with the relevant provisions of this Act.

(11) The decision of the Appellate Tribunal shall be in writing, detailing the issues raised in the appeal and the arguments adopted by the appellant and the Commission. The Appellate Tribunal shall also provide reasons for reaching its decision with reference to the provisions of this Act and the facts of the case.

(12) The Appellate Tribunal shall provide copies of its decision to all the appellants and respondents including the Commission no later than five days from the date of rendering its decision.

(13) The Appellate Tribunal may, if it deems necessary, require an appellant to provide security in such form as may be prescribed, at the time of filing of an appeal.

(14) The decision of the Appellate Tribunal shall be appealable in the High Court. The High Court shall decide the appeal within ninety days:

Provided that the High Court shall not make an interim order against the conduct of investigation by the Commission unless the Commission has been given notice of the application and has had an opportunity of being heard and the High Court, for reasons to be recorded in writing, is satisfied that the interim order would not have the effect of prejudicing or interfering with the carrying out of a public work or of otherwise being harmful to the public interest [or State property] or of impeding the assessment or collection of public revenues:

Provided further that the Appellate Tribunal may, if it thinks fit, accept an application from any party to an appeal in which the Appellate Tribunal has rendered its decision, for a clarification of any of the issues raised by the Appellate Tribunal in its decision:

Provided also that such application shall specify the precise issue in respect of which a clarification is sought and give reasons as to why a clarification is necessary.

(15) The Appellate Tribunal shall only accept an application under the first proviso of sub section (14) if it is satisfied that a material issue discussed in its decision requires further clarification or elaboration. The party likely to be adversely affected by such clarification shall also be issued a notice by the Appellate Tribunal:

Provided that no such application shall be accepted by the Appellate Tribunal later than thirty days of its decision.

(16) The Appellate Tribunal shall perform its functions under this Act in accordance with such procedures as may be prescribed.

(17) A determination of the Commission shall be given full force and effect during the pendency of any appeal of such determination.

(18) A person duly authorized by any interested party is entitled to appear, plead and act on behalf of that interested party before the Appellate Tribunal.

33. Power of the Appellate Tribunal to call for and examine record.
The Appellate Tribunal may call for and examine any records of an investigation conducted by the Commission and any other information or documents relied upon by the Commission in reaching a determination appealed against for the purpose of satisfying itself as to the legality or propriety of an impugned determination of the Commission.

PART XVI
MISCELLANEOUS

34. Power to make rules.
(1) The Federal Government may, in consultation with the Commission, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for the manner in which any investigation may be conducted, the manner in which an investigated product may be identified, the factors to which regard shall be had in any such investigation, the manner of assessment, levy and collection of any countervailing duty, whether preliminary or definitive, and for all matters connected with an investigation.

35. Protection to persons prejudiced in employment because of assisting the Commission.
(1) An employer shall not —

(a) dismiss an employee, or prejudice an employee in his employment, because the employee has assisted the Commission in connection with an inquiry or investigation under this Act; or

(b) dismiss or threaten to dismiss an employee, or prejudice or threaten to prejudice an employee in his employment, because the employee proposes to assist the Commission in connection with an inquiry or investigation under this Act.

(2) For the purposes of sub section (1), a person shall be taken to assist the Commission in connection with an inquiry if the person—

(a) gives information, whether orally or in writing, or gives documents, to the Commission in connection with an inquiry or investigation under this Act; or

(b) gives evidence, or produces documents, at an inquiry, investigation or hearing held under this Act.

36. Public file to be maintained for interested party and access thereto.
(1) The Commission shall establish and maintain a file relating to each investigation or review pursuant to this Act and subject to the requirement to protect confidential information under section 29. The Commission shall place in such file —

(a) all public notices relating to an investigation or review;

(b) all materials, including questionnaires, responses to questionnaires, and written communications submitted to the Commission;

(c) all other information developed or obtained by the Commission; and

(d) any other documents the Commission deems appropriate for disclosure to an interested party.

(2) The file to be maintained under sub section (1) shall be available to any interested party for review and copying at the offices of the Commission, during such time as the Commission may specify, throughout the course of an investigation or review and any appeal under section 32.

37. Official file to be maintained by the Commission.
(1) The Commission shall establish and maintain an official file relating to each investigation or review pursuant to this Act and shall place in such file—

(a) all materials, papers and documents, confidential or otherwise, including questionnaires, responses to questionnaires, and written communications submitted to or by the Commission in connection with an investigation or review;

(b) all documents relating to or setting out any calculations made by the Commission in connection with an investigation or review;

(c) all internal correspondence or memoranda of the Commission relating to or in connection with an investigation or review that are relevant to the calculation of dumping margin or determination of injury including, any correspondence with or between any other Ministry, Division, department, agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government or any Provisional Government;

(d) any other information developed, obtained or relied on by the Commission in connection with an investigation or review; and

(e) any other document or information that the Commission deems appropriate for placing in the official file.

(2) The file to be maintained under sub section (1) shall only be for the internal use of the Commission and for the Appellate Tribunal in connection with an appeal under section 32.

38. Appointment of advisers and consultants.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Commission may, employ and pay consultants, agents, technical, professional and other advisers, including bankers, economists, actuaries, accountants, lawyers and other persons to do any act required to be done in the exercise of its powers, the performance of its functions or for the better implementation of the purposes of this Act.

(2) The decision to employ and the terms and conditions of employment of external advisers and consultants pursuant to sub section (1) shall be made by the Commission in accordance with such policy guidelines as may be established by the Federal Government, in consultation with the Commission, from time to time.

39. Removal of difficulty.
The Federal Government may for the purpose of removing any difficulty in relation to any matters under this Act, make such orders as may appear to it to be necessary for the purpose of removing the difficulty:

Provided that no such power shall be exercised after the expiry of two years from the commencement of this Act.

40. Act to override other laws.
The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force:

Provided that this provision shall not apply on the National Tariff Commission Law for the time being inforce.

THE FIRST SCHEDULE

[See section 5(6) (a)]

ILLUSTRATIVE LIST OF EXPORT SUBSIDIES

1. In this Schedule, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,—

(a) “commercially available” means that the choice between domestic and imported products is unrestricted and depends only on commercial considerations;

(b) “direct taxes” means taxes on wages, profits, interests, rents, royalties, and all other forms of income, and taxes on the ownership of real property;

(c) “cumulative indirect taxes” means indirect taxes which are multi staged taxes levied where there is no mechanism for subsequent crediting of the tax if goods or services subject to tax at one stage of production are used in a succeeding state of production;

(d) “import charges” means tariffs, duties, and other fiscal charges that are levied on imports;

(e) “indirect taxes” means sales, excise, turnover, value added, franchise, stamp, transfer, inventory and equipment taxes, border taxes and all taxes other than direct taxes and import charges;

(f) “prior stage indirect taxes” means those indirect taxes levied on goods or services used directly or indirectly in making a product;

(g) “remission” of taxes includes the refund or rebate of taxes; and

(h) “remission or drawback” includes the full or partial exemption or deferral of import charges:

Provided that deferral may not amount to an export subsidy where, for example, appropriate interest charges are collected.

2. The following is an illustrative list of export subsidies, namely:—

(a) any provision by a government of direct subsidies to a firm or an industry contingent upon export performance;

(b) currency retention schemes or any similar practices which involve a bonus on exports;

(c) internal transport and freight charges on export shipments, provided or mandated by a government, on terms more favourable than for domestic shipments;

(d) any provision by a government or its agencies either directly or indirectly through government mandated schemes, of imported or domestic products or services for use in the production of exported goods, on terms or conditions more favourable than for provision of like or directly competitive products or services for use in the production of goods for domestic consumption, if, in the case of products, such terms or conditions are more favourable than those commercially available on world markets to their exporters;

(e) any full or partial exemption, remission, or deferral specifically related to exports, of direct taxes or social welfare charges paid or payable by industrial or commercial enterprises;

(f) any allowance of special deductions directly related to exports or export performance, over and above those granted in respect of production for domestic consumption, in calculation of the base on which direct taxes are charged;

(g) any exemption or remission, in respect of the production and distribution of exported products, of indirect taxes in excess of those levied in respect of production and distribution of like products when sold for domestic consumption;

(h) any exemption, remission or deferral of prior stage cumulative indirect taxes on goods or services used in the production of exported products in excess of any exemption, remission or deferral of like prior stage cumulative indirect taxes on goods or services used in the production of like products when sold for domestic consumption; provided, however, that prior-stage cumulative indirect taxes may be exempted, remitted or deferred on exported products even when not exempted, remitted or deferred on like products when sold for domestic consumption, if any prior stage cumulative indirect taxes are levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of an exported product making normal allowance for waste. This clause shall be interpreted in accordance with the guidelines on consumption of inputs in a production process contained in the Second Schedule. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this clause shall not apply to value added tax systems and border tax adjustment in lieu thereof and the provisions of clause (g) shall exclusively cover issues relating to excessive remission of value-added taxes;

(i) any remission or drawback of import charges in excess of those levied on imported inputs that are consumed in the production of an exported product, making normal allowance for waste; provided, however, that in particular cases a firm may use a quantity of home market inputs equal to, and having the same quality and characteristics as, the imported inputs as a substitute for them in order to benefit from this provision if the import and the corresponding export operations both occur within a reasonable time period, not to exceed two years. This clause shall be interpreted in accordance with the guidelines on consumption of inputs in the production process contained in the Second Schedule and the guidelines in the determination of substitution drawback systems as export subsidies contained in the Third Schedule;

(j) any provision by a government or, special institutions controlled by a government, of export credit guarantee or insurance programmes, of insurance or guarantee programmes against increases in the cost of exported products or of exchange risk programmes, at premium rates which are inadequate to cover long- term operating costs and losses of the programmes;

(k) any grant by a government or special institutions controlled by or acting under the authority of a government, or both, of export credits at rates below those which they actually have to pay for the funds so employed or, would have to pay if they borrowed on international capital markets in order to obtain funds of the same maturity and other credit terms and denominated in the same currency as an export credit or, the payment by them of all or part of the costs incurred by exporters or financial institutions in obtaining credits, insofar as they are used to secure a material advantage in the field of export credit terms. Provided, however, that if a country which is a member of the WTO is a party to an international undertaking on official export credits to which at least twelve original such members are parties as of the first day of January, 1979, or, a successor undertaking which has been adopted by those original members, or if in practice a country which is member of the WTO applies the interest rates provisions of the relevant undertaking, an export credit practice which is in conformity with those provisions shall not be considered an export subsidy; and

(l) any other charge on a public account constituting an export subsidy in the sense of Article XVI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1994.

THE SECOND SCHEDULE

(See the First Schedule)

GUIDELINES ON CONSUMPTION OF INPUTS IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS

1. For the purposes of this Schedule “inputs consumed in the production process” means inputs physically incorporated, energy, fuels and oil used in a production process and catalysts which are consumed in the course of their use to obtain an exported product.

2. Indirect tax rebate schemes can allow for exemption, remission or deferral of prior stage cumulative indirect taxes levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of an exported product making normal allowance for waste. Similarly, drawback schemes can allow for the remission or drawback of import charges levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of an exported product making normal allowance for waste.

3. The illustrative list of export subsidies in the First Schedule makes reference to the term “inputs that are consumed in the production of the exported product” in clauses (h) and (i) of para 2 thereof. Pursuant to clause (h) of para 2 of the First Schedule, indirect tax rebate schemes can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result in exemption, remission or deferral of prior stage cumulative indirect taxes in excess of the amount of such taxes actually levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of an exported product. Pursuant to clause (i) of para 2 of the First Schedule, drawback schemes can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result in a remission or drawback of import charges in excess of those actually levied on inputs that are consumed in the production of an exported product. Both the said clauses stipulate that normal allowance for waste must be made in findings regarding consumption of inputs in the production of an exported product. Clause (i) of para 2 of the First Schedule also provides for substitution, where appropriate.

4. In examining whether inputs are consumed in the production of an exported product, as part of a countervailing duty investigation pursuant to this Act, the Commission should normally proceed on the following basis, namely:—

(a) where it is alleged that an indirect tax rebate scheme, or a drawback scheme, conveys a subsidy by reason of over rebate or excess drawback of indirect taxes or import charges on inputs consumed in the production of an investigated product, the Commission shall normally first determine whether the government of an exporting country has in place and applies a system or procedure to confirm which inputs are consumed in the production of an exported product and in what amounts. Where such a system or procedure is determined to be applied, the Commission shall normally then examine the system or procedure to see whether it is reasonable and effective for the purpose intended, and based on generally accepted commercial practices in the country of export. The Commission may deem it necessary to carry out, in accordance with section 26, certain practical tests in order to verify information or to satisfy itself that the system or procedure is being effectively applied;

(b) where there is no such system or procedure, or where it is not reasonable, or where it is instituted and considered reasonable but is found not to be applied or not to be applied effectively, a further examination by an exporting country based on the actual inputs involved will normally need to be carried out in the context of determining whether an excess payment occurred. If the Commission deems it necessary, a further examination may be carried out in accordance with clause (a) of this para;

(c) the Commission must normally treat inputs as physically incorporated if such inputs are used in the production process and are physically present in a product exported, and an input need not be present in a final product in the same form in which it entered the production process;

(d) in determining the amount of a particular input that is consumed in the production of an exported product, a “normal allowance for waste” must normally be taken into account by the Commission, and such waste must normally be treated as consumed in the production of an exported product. The term “waste” refers to that portion of a given input which does not serve an independent function in the production process, is not consumed in the production of an exported product, for reasons such as inefficiencies, and is not recovered, used or sold by the same manufacturer; and

(e) the Commission's determination of whether the claimed allowance for waste is “normal” shall normally take into account the production process, the average experience of an industry in the country of export, and other technical factors, as appropriate. The Commission shall bear in mind that an important question is whether the authorities in an exporting country have reasonably calculated the amount of waste, when such an amount is intended to be included in a tax or duty rebate or remission.

THE THIRD SCHEDULE

[See the First Schedule and Second Schedule]

GUIDELINES IN THE DETERMINATION OF SUBSTITUTION DRAWBACK SYSTEMS AS EXPORT SUBSIDIES

1. Drawback systems can allow for refund or drawback of import charges on inputs which are consumed in a production process of another product and where export of this latter product contains domestic inputs having the same quality and characteristics as those submitted for imported inputs. Pursuant to clause (i) of para 2 of the First Schedule, substitution drawback systems can constitute an export subsidy to the extent that they result in an excess drawback of import charges levied initially on imported inputs for which drawback is being claimed.

2. In examining any substitution drawback system as part of an investigation the Commission shall normally proceed on the following basis, namely:—

(a) clause (i) of para 2 of the First Schedule stipulates that home market inputs may be substituted for imported inputs in the production of a product for export provided such inputs are equal in quantity to, and have same quality and characteristics as, imported inputs being substituted. The existence of a verification system or procedure is important because it enables the government of an exporting country to ensure and demonstrate that the quantity of inputs for which drawback is claimed does not exceed the quantity of similar products exported, in whatever form, and that there is no drawback of import charges in excess of those originally levied on imported inputs in question;

(b) where it is alleged that a substitution drawback system conveys a subsidy, the Commission shall normally first proceed to determine whether the government of an exporting country has in place and applies a verification system or procedure. Where such a system or procedure is determined to be applied, the Commission shall normally then examine the verification procedures to see whether they are reasonable and effective for the purpose intended, and based on generally accepted commercial practices in the country of export. To the extent that any procedures are determined to meet this test and are effectively applied, no subsidy will be presumed to exist. It may be deemed necessary by the Commission to carry out, in accordance with section 26, certain practical tests in order to verify information or, to satisfy itself that verification procedures are being effectively applied;

(c) where there are no verification procedures, or where they are not reasonable, or where such procedures are instituted and considered reasonable but are found not be actually applied or not be applied effectively, there may be a subsidy. In such cases, further examination by an exporting country based on actual transactions involved would need to be carried out to determine whether an excess payment occurred. If the Commission deems it necessary, a further examination may be carried out in accordance with clause (b); and

(d) the existence of a substitution drawback provision under which exporters are allowed to select particular import shipments on which drawback is claimed shall not of itself be considered by the Commission to convey a subsidy.

3. An excess drawback of import charges within the meaning of clause (i) of para 2 of the First Schedule, would be deemed to exist where a government paid interest on any monies refunded under its drawback schemes, to the extent of an interest actually paid or payable.