MOSCOW, August 12 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian government has extended until mid-December duties on steel rods imported from Ukraine, an Economic Development Ministry official said Friday.
"The Russian prime minister has signed a resolution to this effect. The 21% import duty on these products will stand for another four months," the official said.
In August 2002, Russia introduced an import duty on steel rods produced by subsidized steel mills in Ukraine to ensure fair market terms and protect Russian steel producers. The duty was expected to expire on August 14, 2005.
Russia's largest steel plants Mechel, Eurasholding and Severstal petitioned the government and the Economic Development Ministry to extend the term of the import duty.
"The import duty will be extended. This preliminary measure will stay in effect until the Economic Development Ministry concludes its repeat inquiry launched on July 8 at the request of domestic steel producers," the official said.
