Steel export
Mr. JU Khan's report on the matter published in your 'Star Business' on March 7 is a heartening matter. Not being basically an iron and steel manufacturer, it is really good to hear that we are exporting steel flat products (GP&CI sheets) to Africa, competing with steel giants like Japan, South Korea and India-- all Asian countries! Our steel producers deserve congratulations for their breakthrough in a non-conventional sector in international export. It would have been good to know the percentage of total tonnage of these (GP&CI flats) products that we export compared to countries from Asia and Europe.
One reason behind this achievement could be the low price for our natural gas, which in effect is an indirect financial support provided to them.
Nevertheless, our government should give them all possible encouragement to encourage their effort. If necessary the concerned steel mills should be excluded from the gas-rationing plan now in place. With scarcity of gas, and its price being increased, I am afraid our steel makers will now find it difficult to maintain this trend of export! It will be interesting to know of the total export figures for the calendar year 2010, and also next year's figures in your issues of 'Star Business'. It would be worthwhile if you can follow this innovative export trend in public interest in support of our steel makers and exporters.
I wish our steel makers good luck and God-speed in this epoch-making effort. Given my interesting and challenging years in the public steel sector in early 1970s in Chittagong, I keenly look forward to innovations in better heat recovery and utilisation by our pioneer steel makers.
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