Anti-dumping: EC official in Vietnam
14/11/2008
A senior official from the European Commission's trade defence department, Stefaan Depypere, travelled to Vietnam on November 13 to discuss the review of anti-dumping measures on imports into the European Union of leather shoes from the Asian country.
Mr Depypere said he had gone to Vietnam to hold discussions with representatives of the government and the footwear industry there.
He said at a press briefing that his directorate would make an objective announcement following discussions with European leather and shoe producers, as well as manufacturers, exporters and other concerned agencies in Vietnam.
For its part, the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (LEFASO) confirmed that it has officially lodged a document with the European Commission in which it makes clear its opposition to the measures (a duty of 10% in Vietnam's case), which have been in place since 2006. It said the measures put pressure on 500,000 local workers in the leather and footwear industry.
Vietnam exported more than 120 million pairs of leather shoes to the EU in 2005, but this number fell to 107 million pairs in 2006 and to 91 million pairs in 2007.
Lefaso also confirmed that it has engaged a Belgian law firm to help it argue its case.
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