On September 25, Mr. Jin Yong Hui, vice director of Zhejiang provincial Foreign Economy & Trade Bureau announced that Zhejiang has drafted an anti-dumping statute – the first such statute in China.

Mr. Jin said that the decision to draft a statute was in light of the fact that Zhejiang has been involved in the highest number of anti-dumping investigations in the country due to the fact that the province’s main industries are textile, footwear, and silk production, all of which have been subject to investigation.

According to official statistics, in the first eight months of 2005, 32 cases of anti-dumping investigations against local businesses have been recorded in the province concerning goods worth $870 million.

The statute prescribes the function and role of central government, local government, industry associations and enterprises,” said Mr. Jin. The government and industry associations will provide help to enterprises who voluntarily ask for help.”

As well as the issuing of a statute, Zhejiang plans to enhance monitoring and assessment of the area’s key importing countries and 100 key export products. It also plans to send a business promotion team of 20 people to developing countries that do not currently trade in a great volume with companies in Zhejiang.