E9-1114. Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from Belgium: Notice of Extension of Time Limit for Preliminary Results of Administrative Review

AGENCY:

Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

January 21, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joy Zhang or George McMahon at [phone] and [phone], respectively; AD/CVD Operations, Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

Background

On July 1, 2008, the Department of Commerce (the “Department”) initiated an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on stainless steel plate in coils from Belgium with respect to Ugine & ALZ Belgium (“U&A Belgium”). See Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews, Request for Revocation in Part and Deferral of Administrative Review, 73 FR 37409 (July 1, 2008). The period of review (POR) is May 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008. The preliminary results of this review are currently due no later than January 31, 2009.

Extension of Time Limits for Preliminary Results

Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires the Department to make a preliminary determination within 245 days after the last day of the anniversary month of an order or finding for which a review is requested. Section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act further states that if it is not practicable to complete the review within the time period specified, the administering authority may extend the 245-day period to issue its preliminary results by up to 120 days.

We determine that completion of the preliminary results of this review within the 245-day period is not practicable for the following reasons. This review requires the Department to gather and analyze a significant amount of information pertaining to the company's sales practices, manufacturing costs and corporate relationships, which is complicated due to recent changes in its corporate structure. Furthermore, the company subject to this review recently converted its accounting system, which resulted in a request for additional time to submit its questionnaire response to the Department. Given the number and complexity of issues in this case, and in accordance with section 751(a)(3)(A) of the Act, we are extending the time period for issuing the preliminary results of review by 120 days. Therefore, the preliminary results are now due no later than June 1, 2009. The final results continue to be due 120 days after publication of the preliminary results.

We are issuing and publishing this notice in accordance with sections 751(a)(3)(A) and 777(i)(1) of the Act.

Dated: January 13, 2009.

Stephen J. Claeys,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations.