[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 154 (Monday, August 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 47609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20366]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigations Nos. 731-TA-1043-1045 (Preliminary)]


Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags From China, Malaysia, and 
Thailand

Determinations

    On the basis of the record \1\ developed in the subject 
investigations, the United States International Trade Commission 
(Commission) determines, pursuant to section 733(a) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)) (the Act), that there is a reasonable 
indication that an industry in the United States is threatened with 
material injury by reason of imports from China, Malaysia, and Thailand 
of polyethylene retail carrier bags, provided for in subheading 
3923.21.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that 
are alleged to be sold in the United States at less than fair value 
(LTFV).
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    \1\ The record is defined in sec. 207.2(f) of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice adn Procedure (19 CFR 207.2(f)).
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Commencement of Final Phase Investigations

    Pursuant to Sec.  207.18 of the Commission's rules, the Commission 
also gives notice of the commencement of the final phase of its 
investigations. The Commission will issue a final phase notice of 
scheduling, which will be published in the Federal Register as provided 
in section 207.21 of the Commission's rules, upon notice from the 
Department of Commerce (Commerce) of affirmative preliminary 
determinations in the investigations under section 733(b) of the Act, 
or, if the preliminary determinations are negative, upon notice of 
affirmative final determinations in those investigations under section 
735(a) of the Act. Parties that filed entries of appearance in the 
preliminary phase of the investigations need not enter a separate 
appearance for the final phase of the investigations. Industrial users, 
and, if the merchandise under investigation is sold at the retail 
level, representative consumer organizations have the right to appear 
as parties in Commission antidumping and countervailing duty 
investigations. The Secretary will prepare a public service list 
containing the names and addresses of all persons, or their 
representatives, who are parties to the investigations.

Background

    On June 20, 2003, a petition was filed with the Commission and 
Commerce by the Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bag Committee, an ad hoc 
coalition of U.S. polyethylene retail carrier bag producers, alleging 
that an industry in the United States is materially injured or 
threatened with material injury by reason of LTFV imports of 
polyethylene retail carrier bags from China, Malaysia, and Thailand. 
Accordingly, effective June 20, 2003, the Commission instituted 
antidumping duty investigations Nos. 731-TA-1043-1045 (Preliminary).
    Notice of the institution of the Commission's investigations and of 
a public conference to be held in connection therewith was given by 
posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. 
International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the 
notice in the Federal Register of June 27, 2003 (68 FR 38385). The 
conference was held in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2003, and all 
persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in 
person or by counsel.
    The Commission transmitted its determinations in these 
investigations to the Secretary of Commerce on August 4, 2003. The 
views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 3618 (August 
2003), entitled Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags from China, Malaysia, 
and Thailand: Investigations Nos. 731-TA-1043-1045 (Preliminary).

    Issued: August 5, 2003.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 03-20366 Filed 8-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-M