35. Hearings

The Director-General shall, upon request made by a party interested not later than a period of one month after the publication of the preliminary determination, fix a date not later a period of than three weeks and not more than a period of one month prior to the date of the proposed date of the final determination, for the hearing at which all parties interested may present information and arguments.

There shall be no obligation on any party interested to attend a hearing, and failure to do so shall not be prejudicial to that interested party’s case. Hearings shall, as far as possible, be organized by the Director-General so as to take into account the convenience of all the parties interested.

Parties interested intending to appear at the hearing shall notify the Director-General of the names of representatives and witnesses who may appear at the hearing, not less than a period of seven days before the date of the hearing.

Hearings shall be presided over by the Director-General, who shall ensure that confidentiality is preserved, and shall organize the hearing in such manner so as to ensure that all parties participating have an adequate opportunity to present their views. The Director-General shall maintain a record of the hearing, which shall be placed in the public file, with the exception of any confidential information.