Asahi Glass Philippines Inc. (AGP), the country“s sole glass manufacturer, said that its USD 9 million capital project depends on the government imposing measures to prevent unfair competition from c…
Asahi Glass Philippines Inc. (AGP), the country“s sole glass manufacturer, said that its USD 9 million capital project depends on the government imposing measures to prevent unfair competition from cheap imports being dumped in the Philippine market. AGP president Renato R. Ermita said they have to invest USD 4 million to repair the figured glass furnace and another USD 5 million to redesign the facility in order to make it a multi-product furnace. The furnace repairs are scheduled for 2004. AGP is asking for three to four years of protectionist measures which could be in the form of additional tariffs or quantitative restrictions on imports. “Without the safeguard measures, it is hard for us to justify the capital cost for the figured glass operation as cheap glass products continue to pour into the country,” Ermita said. Ermita said the redesigning of the figured glass furnace is necessary for it to support the USD 320 million SunPower Systems scheme for a solar cell project in the country to serve the exports market. To participate in this export-oriented project, AGP will have to produce low iron 3 mm tempered glass of high transmittance for the fabrication of photovoltaic modules which convert the sun rays into electric energy. At present, supplies of this low iron, tempered, high transmittance glass are being imported from Asahi U.S.