Alloy exports to be taxed

China, the world's largest aluminum producer, is to impose a tax on exports of the metal's alloys and on some coal products to curb over-investment in energy-intensive industries.

Duties on exports of aluminum alloy will be temporarily set at 15 percent, effective from August 20, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday. Export taxes on coke will be raised to 40 percent from 25 percent, while the rate on coking coal will be lifted to 10 percent from 5 percent, it said. The ministry also imposed a 10-percent tax on metabituminous coal.