L 124/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 25.5.2000 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1092/2000 of 24 May 2000 imposing a provisional countervailing duty on imports of styrene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic rubber originating in Taiwan THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2026/97 of 6 October 1997 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Community (*) and in particular Article 12 thereof, After consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROCEDURE In August 1999 the Commission announced by a notice (here-in-after referred to as ‘notice of initiation’) published in the Official Journal of the European Communi- ties (%) the initiation of an anti-subsidy proceeding with regard to imports into the Community of styrene-buta- diene-styrne thermoplastic rubber (hereinafter referred to as ‘SBS’), originating in Taiwan and commenced an investigation. The proceeding was initiated as a result of a complaint lodged by the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) on behalf of Community producers representing a major proportion of Community production of SBS. The complaint contained evidence of subsidisation of the said product, and of material injury resulting there- from, which was considered sufficient to justify the initiation of a proceeding. At the same time the Commission initiated a parallel anti-dumping proceedng on the same product from Taiwan (3). Prior to the initiation of the proceeding and in accord- ance with Article 10(9) of Regulation (EC) No 2026/97 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘basic Regulation’), the Commission notified the Government of Taiwan (herein- after referred to as GOT) that it had received a properly documented complaint alleging that subsidised imports of SBS originating in Taiwan are causing material injury to the Community industry. The Commission officially advised the Community producers, exporting producers and importers known to be concerned, the representatives of the exporting country and the complainant of the initiation of the proceeding, it gave the parties concerned the oppor- 288, 21.10.1997, p. 1. o L 0] C 241, 26.8.1999, p. 4. 0] C 241, 26.8.1999, p. 5. (11) (13) tunity to make their views known in writing and to request a hearing. The GOT, a number of exporting producers as well as some producers, importers and suppliers in the Community made their views know in writing. All parties who so requested were granted a hearing within the time limits set in the notice of initiation. The Commission sent questionnaires to all parties known to be concerned and received replies from the GOT and a number of companies in the Community and Taiwan. The Commission sought and verified all the information it deemed necessary for the prupose of a preliminary determination of subsidisation and injury, and carried out investigations at the premises of the following competent government agencies, exporting producers, Community producers, as well as unrelated importers and users in the Community: Government of Taiwan — Ministry of Economic Affairs — Board of Foreign Trade (BOFT), Taipei — Ministry of Economic Affairs — Industrial Develop- ment Bureau (IDB), Taipei — Ministry of Finance — Department of Taxation, Taipei — Ministry of Finance — Directorate-General of Customs, Taipei — Development Fund of the Executive Yuan, Taipei — Chiao Tung Bank, Taipei — Business Bank of Taiwan, Taipei. Exporting producers in Taiwan — Chi Mei Corporation, Taiwan — Lee Chang Yung Chemical Industry Corporation, Taipei. Community Producers — Dynasol SA, Madrid, Spain (new name of Repsol Quimica SA) — Enichem SpA, Milan, Italy — Fina Chemicals, Brussels, Belgium — Shell Chemicals Ltd, London, UK. Unrelated Importers in the Community — Biesterfeld France SARL, Rueil, France — Tecnopolimeri, Milan, Italy. Users in the Community — Thermoplastiques Cousin-Teissier, Tiffauges, France.