India starts anti-dumping probe right into solar imports

• India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry has started an anti-dumping probe right into imports of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells made in China, Vietnam and Thailand complying with a request submitted by the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA).

The probe launched by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) concerns the 18-month period from July 2019 to December 2020.

ISMA says that the disposing of solar cells from the abovementioned destinations is causing a material injury to the domestic market and declares that the items being imported do not vary considerably from those produced locally.

In January-March 2021, India has imported USD 259 million (EUR 213.3 m) worth of solar cells and modules, marking 132% quarter-on-quarter and 72% year-on-year boosts, according to stats offered by Mercom India. The biggest merchants of solar items right into the country were China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Mercom explained the jump in imports with improved demand because of the short-term subsiding of the pandemic's effect on the market during the particular three-month period.