. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SG/N/6/ISR/1 
2 April 2009 
 (09-1642) 
Committee on Safeguards Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.1(A) OF THE  
AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS ON INITIATION OF  
AN INVESTIGATION AND THE REASONS FOR IT 
 
ISRAEL 
 
(Steel rebars
) 
   The following communication, dated 30 March 2009, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Israel.   
 
_______________ 
 
 
1. Specify the date when the investigation was initiated  
 
26 March 2009.   
 
2. Specify the product subject to the investigation  
  Steel rebars for construction, straight and sp iral, used for reinforcement of concrete, in 
diameters 8 - 40 millimetre (0.31496 – 1.5748 inches).     The product concerned is currently classified  within the Harmonized Commodity Description 
and Coding System (HS) nomenclatu re codes 72.14.00 and 72.13.00.   
 3. Provide the reasons for the initiation of investigation 
 
(a) Application Submitted by Domestic Industry 
 
 On 23 March 2009, Hod Asaf Industries, Ltd.  And Yehuda Stell, Ltd. have submitted an 
application to carry out a safeguard investigation on grounds that trends in imports of the product 
concerned appear to call for safeguard measures.    
(b) Prima Facie Evidence of Increased Imports and Injury 
  The applicants have submitted the evidence av ailable to them.  The information currently 
available to the Commissi oner includes data in relation to certa in economic indicators specified in 
Article 3.3 of the Israeli Trade Levies and Safe guards Measures Law, 1991 (the "Law") and Articles 2 
and 4 of the WTO's Agreement on Safeguards.     The information currently available to the Co mmissioner indicates that the product concerned 
is being imported into Israel in such increased qua ntities, absolute or relative to domestic production, G/SG/N/6/ISR/1 
Page 2  
 
  and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause serious injury to the domestic industry that 
produces like or directly competitive products.   
 
(c) Decision to Initiate Investigation 
  On 26 March 2009, I have decided, according to  section 3.4(a) of the Law, to initiate a 
safeguard investigation, to determine whether the necessary conditions exist for the adoption of 
definitive safeguard measures in relation to the product concerned.    
4. Further information 
 
(a) Procedure 
 
 The investigation will be held according to Ch apter B2 of the Law, and in accordance with 
WTO's Agreement on Safeguard.   
 
(b) Gathering of Information 
 
 Questionnaires
:  In order to obtain the information it de ems necessary for its investigation, the 
Commissioner will send questionnaires to the known im porters of the product concerned, along with 
the notification of initiation of the investigation that  will be send also to known exporters/producers.   
 
 Interested parties who have not received a questionnaire may contact the Commissioner and request one no later than 6 April 2009.     Invitation to Respond
:  All interested parties are hereby invited to make their views known, 
submit information and to provide supporti ng evidence, no later than 6 May 2009.   
  Hearings
:  Interested parties, whom submitte d a written response or an answered 
questionnaire, may also apply to be heard by the Commissioner.     Verification
:  It should be noted that any inform ation submitted will be taken into account 
only if supported by actual evidence at the time of submission and may be subject to verification.   
 
(c) Submissions 
 
 Submissions and communications shall be made to: 
 Commissioner of Trade Levies 
 Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor  No. 5 Bank Israel Street  P.O.Box 3166  Jerusalem 91036  Tel:  972-2-6662621/2 
 Fax:  972-2-6662939 
 E-Mail:  orly.rotbart@moital.gov.il
 
 Website:  http://www.moital.gov.il/dumping  
  
 Reuben Pessah 
 Commissioner 
 
 
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