Regulations and Directives Critical for Iranian Steel Export - Mr Keshani

Iran, one of the largest billet exporter in MENA region has exported 1,790,224 MT billet and bloom during the first five months of current Persian year (21-Mar till 22-Aug'18). As per the data released by Iranian Customs, export of billet during the period was reportedly up by 42% Y-o-Y against 1,258,094 MT during the same period of last Persian year. GCC and Far East Asia were the major destination for Iranian billet.

The past months have been critical for the steel industry. A significant amount of regulations and directives have been imposed on industry, which according to steel experts, is itself a self-imposed sanctions before the US sanctions.

According to Mohammad Keshani, Managing director of Khouzastan Steel, "By looking at the last year's statistics, we forecasted 8.5 MnT of steel exports from Iran, out of which 2.75 MnT was expected from Khouzastan Steel.

According to the current Persian year plan, the government based on the supply and distribution of steel is to export 12 MnT steel, which definitely must be with the directive such as probation and steel export quotas of many foreign markets that have so far gaining is in trouble.

He added "In my opinion, the current problem of Iran's steel industry is not US sanctions and global problems, but self-imposed sanctions or sanctions imposed by the state itself are an obstacle to the development of the steel industry."

KSC - Iran's largest billet exporter has recorded nil billet exports in 5th month of current Persian year, as per data released by IMIDRO

Khouzastan Steel Company (KSC) was the largest exporter of billet and bloom during the period despite of the fact that the company didn't exported any billet/bloom in the current month. The company exported 580,370 MT in current year, registered a downfall of 32% Y-o-Y against 853,393 MT exported in last Persian year.

South Kaveh Steel Company (SKSCO) was the second largest exporter of billet, the company exported 365,000 MT billet during the period, registered a growth of 23% Y-o-Y against 296,748 MT exported in last Persian year.

Khorasan Steel was the third largest exporter of bloom, the company exported 75,189 MT during the period.