Dumping: International Trade and Price Discrimination
INRODUCTION
The new economic policies 1991(LPG) progressively widened the space for market forces and reduced the role for government in business. It was recognized that a new competition law was also called for because the existing Monopolies & Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) had become obsolete in certain respects and there was a need to shift the focus from curbing monopolies to promoting competition. A high level committee was appointed in 1999 to suggest a modern competition law in line with international developments to suit Indian conditions. The committee recommended enactment of a new competition law, called the Competition Act, and the establishment of a competition authority, the Competition Commission of India, along with the repealing of the MRTP Act and the winding up of the MRTP Commission. It also recommended further reforms in government policies as the foundation over which the edifice of the competition policy and law would be built.
The Competition Act, 2002 came into existence in January 2003 and the Competition Commission of India was established in October 2003. The Act states that "it shall be the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, to promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade carried on by other participants, in markets in India." Thus, it gives the Commission a heavy mandate.
Dumping, is a pricing practice where a firm charges a lower price for exporting goods than it does for the same goods sold domestically. It is said to be the most common form of price discrimination in international trade. Dumping can only occur at places where imperfect competition and where the markets are segmented in a way such that domestic residents cannot easily purchase goods intended for export. It is a subtle measure of protection which comes under the non-tariff barriers and is product and source specific. Antidumping duties were
The new economic policies 1991(LPG) progressively widened the space for market forces and reduced the role for government in business. It was recognized that a new competition law was also called for because the existing Monopolies & Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) had become obsolete in certain respects and there was a need to shift the focus from curbing monopolies to promoting competition. A high level committee was appointed in 1999 to suggest a modern competition law in line with international developments to suit Indian conditions. The committee recommended enactment of a new competition law, called the Competition Act, and the establishment of a competition authority, the Competition Commission of India, along with the repealing of the MRTP Act and the winding up of the MRTP Commission. It also recommended further reforms in government policies as the foundation over which the edifice of the competition policy and law would be built.
The Competition Act, 2002 came into existence in January 2003 and the Competition Commission of India was established in October 2003. The Act states that "it shall be the duty of the Commission to eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition, to promote and sustain competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade carried on by other participants, in markets in India." Thus, it gives the Commission a heavy mandate.
Dumping, is a pricing practice where a firm charges a lower price for exporting goods than it does for the same goods sold domestically. It is said to be the most common form of price discrimination in international trade. Dumping can only occur at places where imperfect competition and where the markets are segmented in a way such that domestic residents cannot easily purchase goods intended for export. It is a subtle measure of protection which comes under the non-tariff barriers and is product and source specific. Antidumping duties were
Bibliography: Foreign Trade Review, 2003. * Economics of Global Trade and Economics – P.A * STATUTES * The Competition Act, 2002