Latest news with #TRA
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First Post
3 days ago
- Business
- First Post
UK trade body proposes to extend anti-subsidy duties on Indian PET imports for five more years
The UK's Trade Remedies Authority has published its initial findings that a countervailing or anti subsidy measure on the imports of polyethylene terephthalate from India be maintained for a further five years. read more Britain's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has recommended continuing anti-subsidy duties on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) imports from India for another five years, citing risks of renewed subsidisation and harm to the domestic industry. The TRA's proposal, published this week in a 'Statement of Essential Facts', stems from a review launched in July 2023. It concluded that removing the countervailing measure would likely lead to a resurgence of subsidised imports and renewed injury to UK manufacturers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The authority also found that prolonging the duty aligns with the UK's broader economic interests. Countervailing measures are one of three trade tools the UK uses to protect domestic industries, alongside anti-dumping and safeguard actions. These duties target goods that benefit from foreign government subsidies and are found to be damaging to local producers. Countervailing or counteracting measures address imported goods that are being subsidised by foreign governments. The TRA found that while Indian imports of PET during the investigation period were low at just 24 tonnes in 2023, the subsidy programmes identified in an original European Union (EU) measure still exist and are likely to continue. 'The investigation also concluded that UK industry remains vulnerable to injury, with falling sales, reduced production capacity, and evidence of underutilisation among domestic producers,' the TRA said. 'The intended recommendation is to maintain existing countervailing duty rates, ranging from 0 per cent to 13.8 per cent, until August 2029,' it added. Interested parties now have until June 13 to comment on the Statement of Essential Facts' and responses will be considered before TRA makes its final recommendation to the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD TRA, as an independent trade body, investigates whether new remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports from around the world. Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the European Commission on the UK's behalf until Brexit. EU trade remedy measures of interest to UK producers were carried across into UK law when the UK left the EU in 2019, and the TRA is currently reviewing each one to assess whether it is suitable for UK needs. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) imported from India is a type of plastic commonly used in food and beverage packaging, including bottles and containers. With inputs from agencies
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
UK trade body urges continuation of duties on Indian PET plastic imports
The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its initial findings that a countervailing or anti-subsidy measure on the imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from India be maintained for a further five years. The proposal, published in a Statement of Essential Facts' this week, follows a review initiated in July last year which concluded that subsidised imports of PET are likely to recur if the measure was no longer applied and that injury to UK industry would also be likely to recur. The TRA also found that maintaining the measure is in the economic interest of the UK, a statement notes. Countervailing or anti-subsidy measures are the UK's one of three trade policy tools to counter imports which are causing or threatening injury to domestic industry, the other two being anti-dumping and safeguard measures. Countervailing or counteracting measures address imported goods which are being subsidised by foreign governments. The TRA found that while Indian imports of PET during the investigation period were low at just 24 tonnes in 2023, the subsidy programmes identified in an original European Union (EU) measure still exist and are likely to continue. The investigation also concluded that UK industry remains vulnerable to injury, with falling sales, reduced production capacity, and evidence of underutilisation among domestic producers, the TRA said. The intended recommendation is to maintain existing countervailing duty rates, ranging from 0 per cent to 13.8 per cent, until August 2029, it added. Interested parties now have until June 13 to comment on the Statement of Essential Facts' and responses will be considered before TRA makes its final recommendation to the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds. TRA, as an independent trade body, investigates whether new remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports from around the world. Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the European Commission on the UK's behalf until Brexit. EU trade remedy measures of interest to UK producers were carried across into UK law when the UK left the EU in 2019, and the TRA is currently reviewing each one to assess whether it is suitable for UK needs. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) imported from India is a type of plastic commonly used in food and beverage packaging, including bottles and containers.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Keighley teacher banned after driving and knife offences
A teacher who was convicted of drink driving and carrying two large kitchen knives in her bag has been banned from the profession. Lauren Jenkins, 39, who taught at Merlin Top Primary School in Keighley, pleaded guilty to both offences between March and September 2022 but failed to notify the school. After a professional conduct hearing, it was found that even though her crimes were committed outside school, her actions "demonstrated a lack of integrity" that could bring the profession into disrepute. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel ruled that Ms Jenkins actions amounted to unacceptable professional conduct and she was prohibited from teaching indefinitely. The panel heard that in February 2022 Ms Jenkins was seen driving into a car park by an off-duty police officer, who believed she may have been drunk. He called 999 and Ms Jenkins was was found to be three times over the legal limit for driving. She was subsequently banned from driving for two years, given a 12-month community order and fined £180. Then, in August of the same year, Ms Jenkins was arrested for possessing a bladed article after police were called to a disturbance where she had become involved in a fight while drunk. Officers found two large kitchen knives in her bag, which were not brandished during the incident. Ms Jenkins admitted the charges and was later sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months and fined £ panel also heard Ms Jenkins had phoned a colleague and told him she had "done something silly" and been caught drink driving, but before the school could finish an internal investigation she resigned on 21 October 2022. 'No insight' It was found Ms Jenkins, who had worked at the school since 2009, violated the school's "outside of work" code of conduct and failed in her duty to disclose the "change in her circumstances". The TRA said Ms Jenkins' actions were not in keeping with "fundamental British values" and could potentially "affect public confidence in the teaching profession". While she had been described as a "fantastic" teacher by staff, it was found she showed "no evidence of remorse or insight" about her conduct. TRA decision maker Sarah Buxcey said: "The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a finding which involved offences which placed the public at a risk of harm, and conduct found to be dishonest and that lacked integrity." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- Observer
TRA advances rural telecom services with fibre optic rollout
MUSCAT: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has successfully completed the first phase of a nationwide initiative to enhance telecom services in underserved areas. The joint initiative, involving the government, TRA, and licensed operators, aims to improve service quality in regions with infrastructure challenges by shifting from satellite to fibre optic technology. The project utilises cost savings from a deferred royalty rate increase to upgrade connections for several telecom towers, improving stability and performance. Omar bin Abdullah al Qatabi, Vice President of the Telecommunications Regulatory Sector at TRA, stated that the initiative aligns with the Authority's mission to expand access to cutting-edge telecommunications across Oman. This move supports the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which targets a digitally advanced and sustainable economy. The shift to fiber optics in rural areas is expected to significantly improve network reliability, opening up new opportunities for social and economic development. It also empowers SMEs by enabling them to offer services in network maintenance, connectivity, and project management, while creating both direct and indirect job opportunities. The initiative is part of a broader national effort to develop an inclusive digital infrastructure, paving the way for emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing, digital government services, e-commerce, and e-learning to benefit all sectors of society. — ONA
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
TRA completes first phase of initiative to improve telecom services at Comprehensive Service Areas
Muscat: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has completed the first phase of a joint national initiative between the government, the TRA and licensees to improve telecommunications services offered at underdeveloped geographic locations known as Comprehensive Service Areas . The initiative seeks to enhance the quality of services provided to beneficiaries in areas facing infrastructure and coverage challenges. The initiative focuses on utilising the savings made from the postponement of hikes on royalty rates that are typically charged upon the conversion of connections of telecommunication station from 'satellite technology' to 'fibre optics'. This procedure will enhance the performance of telecommunication towers and achieve a more reliable and stable user experience. The initiative opens up vistas for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to implement businesses and provide services in Comprehensive Service Areas, including telecom services, maintenance and project management. The initiative will also enable SMEs to offer direct and indirect employment opportunities through the implementation of related projects.
