Paperboard industry warns of dumping risk

The government’s decision to fix a low Import Trade Price (ITP) of $610 per tonne for coated bleached board is likely to encourage the dumping of cheaper paperboard products — primarily from China — posing a serious threat to Pakistan’s domestic industry. Millers warn of job losses, revenue erosion, and idle capacity as they struggle to compete with underpriced imports. The Pakistan paperboard industry has criticised the ITP as significantly lower than India’s recently imposed minimum import price (MIP) of $770 per tonne (CIF) for the same product, reflecting New Delhi’s efforts to protect its local industry. The $160 per tonne gap — a 26pc difference — has created an unlevel playing field, local producers say.