In brief
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s Permanent Committee on Anti‑Harmful Practices in International Trade announced on 2 November 2026 that it would launch an anti‑dumping investigation into uncoated writing, printing and graphic paper imported from India, China and Thailand. The decision follows a preliminary report by the Technical Secretariat and is governed by the GCC Common Law on Anti‑Dumping and the World Trade Organization’s Anti‑Dumping Agreement. Director General Mahfoudh Al‑Raqadi said the measure will give all interested parties the opportunity to defend their interests at every stage.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announced on 2 November 2026 that it had decided to open an anti‑dumping investigation into imports of uncoated writing, printing and graphic paper originating in India, China and Thailand.
The decision was made by the Permanent Committee on Anti‑Harmful Practices in International Trade and follows a preliminary report presented by the Technical Secretariat of Anti‑Harmful Practices in International Trade, which works under the GCC General Secretariat.
The investigation concerns uncoated paper produced in rolls or in rectangular (including square) sheets, a product that has seen a surge of imports into GCC member states over the past years.
The announcement was made in Riyadh, with a notice published in the technical secretariat’s official bulletin, Issue No. 59, dated 2 November 2026. The bulletin is available on the GCC General Secretariat’s website and sets out the product under scrutiny and the procedural steps to be followed.
Director General of the Technical Secretariat Mahfoudh Al‑Raqadi explained that the measures were being taken under the GCC Common Law on Anti‑Dumping, Countervailing Measures and Safeguards and its implementing regulations, as well as the World Trade Organization’s Anti‑Dumping Agreement.
Al‑Raqadi added that announcing the investigation gives all interested parties the opportunity to defend their interests at every stage:
"We are giving all interested parties the opportunity to defend their interests at every stage," he said.
The probe will examine whether firms in India, China and Thailand are selling the paper in the GCC at prices below their normal value or below costs, potentially harming local manufacturers. Plaintiffs such as local paper producers and importers who feel threatened will be invited to submit evidence.
Under the GCC Common Law, the investigation can result in provisional measures, such as additional duties or restrictions, if the evidence suggests dumping. The final assessment would be made after a full investigation, following the procedures outlined by the WTO Anti‑Dumping Agreement, ensuring transparency and fairness.
Industry analysts have noted the significance of such a probe for the regional paper market. They warn that a ruling could shift trade flows, affecting the cost of paper for editors, printers and publishers across the Gulf.
While the GCC has yet to publish final findings, the announcement has already prompted industry bodies in the member states to prepare responses and gather data to support their positions. The investigation will be monitored closely by businesses reliant on paper supplies and by governments that could be impacted by tariff adjustments.
Public interest groups in the GCC have welcomed the initiative, saying it aligns with the council’s efforts to protect local industries from unfair trade practices. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining trade compliance with international agreements.
In addition, representatives of the three exporting countries—India, China and Thailand—expressed a willingness to cooperate in the investigation and to provide documentation required by the GCC authorities to facilitate a fair and expedient process.
The GCC’s decision reflects the broader trend of intra‑regional trade protection measures. With the council’s commitment to both regional integration and fair competition, an anti‑dumping probe into paper imports signals a proactive stance against potential market distortions.
Stakeholders across the GCC will likely monitor this investigation closely, as its outcomes could set precedents for future trade disputes and influence the regional paper supply chain for years to come.
