The Turkish authorities have brought 14 companies within the ambit of the investigation with the 1998-99 fiscal being chosen as the time period. Reliance Industries, Indo Rama Synthetics, Modern Petrofils, DCL Polyester, Parasurampuria Synthetics, Sarla Polyester, JBS Industries, Akai Impex, Supertex, Welspun, Raymond Synthetics, Rajasthan Polyester, Rishab Textiles and Browmow Overseas are the 14 companies facing the investigation.

The Turkish government has used the period between March and April 1998to calculate the normal value on the basis of which a preliminary case of dumping has been cited, industry sources said. India has exported 4,201 tonnes of PTY into India in 1998.

Indian polyester companies have already informed the Turkish authorities that their claims do not hold water as the months chosen for the calculation of the normal value were the worst period for exporters. Also, the prices prevailing in the Mumbai market was used without even revealing the source, industry sources said.

Indian exporters have been precariously placed in terms of the investigation period with the Korean and Taiwan exporters getting a longer time period of January to August 1998, sources said.

Turkish companies have of late been posing a stiff challenge to the Indian synthetic textile exporters by making major inroads into the European market. Innovative products and the quick response has helped them to corner the market. Turkish companies often uses fabrics of novel finishes made out of new types of yarn,industry sources said.

Indian synthetic textile exporters have been severely affected by the recessionary conditions in the overseas markets which put pressure on the prices. The currency depreciation in South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand made it difficult for Indian exporters to match their price competitiveness, industry sources said.

Initiation of ant-dumping investigation by the European Commission has been a major stumbling block for exporters. The probe was carried out at the instance of International Rayon and Synthetic Fibres Committee (CIRFS), the apex body for the European yarn makers. CIRF withdrew the allegations two weeks ago.