15.2.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L 44/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 298/2001 of 12 February 2001 amending Regulation (EC) No 2450/98 imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of stainless steel bars originating in India THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 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 Articles 15 and 20 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission, after having consulted the Advisory Committee, Whereas: () ) 0] 0] A. PREVIOUS PROCEDURE By Regulation (EC) No 2450/98 (?), the Council imposed a definitive countervailing duty on imports of stainless steel bars (hereafter referred to as ‘the product concer- ned) falling within CN codes ex 72222011, 72222021, 7222 20 31 and 7222 20 81 originating in India. The measures took the form of ad valorem duties between 0 and 25,5 %, with a residual duty of 25,5 %. B. CURRENT PROCEDURE Request for review Subsequent to the imposition of definitive measures, the Commission received a request for initiation of an accel- erated review of Regulation (EC) No 2450/98, pursuant to Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 2026/97 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the basic Regulation’), from an Indian exporter, Hindustan Stainless, located in Bombay. The company claimed that it was not related to any other exporters of the product concerned in India, and that it had not exported the product concerned to the Community during the original period of investigation (1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997). The company stated that it intended to begin exporting to the European Union in the near future. L 288, 21.10.1997, p. 1. L 304, 14.11.1998, p. 1. Initiation of an accelerated review The Commission examined the evidence submitted by the Indian exporting producer concerned and considered it sufficient to justify the initiation of a review in accord- ance with the provisions of Article 20 of the basic Regulation. After consultation of the Advisory Committee and after the Community industry concerned had been given the opportunity to comment, the Commission initiated, by a notice in the Official Journal (), an accelerated review of Regulation (EC) No 245098 with regard to the company concerned and commenced its investigation. Product concerned The product covered by the current review is the same product as that under consideration in Regulation (EC) No 2450/98. Parties concerned The Commission officially advised the company concerned and the Government of India of the initiation of the review. Furthermore, it gave other parties directly concerned the opportunity to make their views known in writing and to request a hearing. The Commission sent a questionnaire to the company concerned and received a full reply within the deadlines. The Commission sought and verified all information it deemed necessary for the purpose of the investigation and carried out a verification visit at the premises of the company concerned. Investigation period The investigation of subsidisation covered the period 1 October 1998 to 30 September 1999 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the investigation period). () O] C 311, 29.10.1999, p. 2.