New Delhi, April 22 -- The 12 per cent safeguard duty imposed by India on certain categories of steel product imports is expected to halt most imports, effectively forcing buyers to shift to domestic suppliers, says a study by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

It says safeguard duties with high threshold values will also push a price hike.

"12 per cent Safeguard duties with high threshold values are expected to halt most imports, effectively forcing buyers to shift to domestic suppliers. Indian steel companies are likely to exploit this policy to raise prices further--a trend already evident with an 8-10 per cent price increase seen in recent months following news of the safeguard proposal," said GTRI's founder, Ajay Srivatava. ...