The Brussels-based firm will now argue the company's case before the European Commission which has recently started investigations into the dumping of polyester staple fibre (PSF) by Reliance Industries and four other companies.

Industry sources said that Vermults Waer was a natural choice for Reliance since the Brussels-based firm has been handling its other dumping cases. Though RIL has sought the help of Vermulst Waer, other companies slapped with dumping allegations, which include, Indian Organic Chemicals Ltd (IOCL), Indo Rama Synthetics Ltd, JCT and the JK Corp are yet to take legal recourse.

The others will most probably opt for the same lawyer firm as it has been offering the lowest fees in addition to its experience in handling such cases. The name of another lawyer firm called Van Bael Bellist is also being considered. The representatives of these companies have recently met to deal with the situation arising out of the EC investigation. The EC has already asked the companies to submit the import data of these companies to Europe during the period between October 1, 1998 and September 30, 1999. The companies were asked to submit the import data before February 14 for scrutiny by EC officials. European yarn-makers' body has filed a petition with the EC saying that polyester staple fibre imports from India has increased from 1,915 tonnes in 1997 to 7,609 tonnes.

It had also said in the complaint that Indian manufacturers are selling the product at prices below the actual cost.

If anti-dumping duties are imposed, the Indian exports to Europe will suffer as has been evident between January 1993 and January 1998-the period when the duties were in existence.