Chinese steel mills turn to more imported iron ore

China＇s steel industry overestimated the country＇s demand for iron ore and as a result imported a record high amount of the material in March. A surge of domestic steel output and price increases in the beginning of 2009 raised market expectations. Many domestic steel mills and traders increased orders for iron ore in February and March as they anticipated demand would continue growing, said Liang Shuhe, deputy-director with the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce （MOC）, at an industry conference in the port city of Tianjin on April 13.     

World Steel Association：China＇s steel use to go down 5%

China＇s apparent steel use, predicted to see a five percent decline in 2009, will lead the recovery for the whole world with a total steel use decline of 14.9 percent, the World Steel Association said here on April 27. The World Steel Association （Worldsteel）, which represents 180 steel producers, national and regional steel industry, forecasted that worldwide apparent steel use is expected to decline by 14.9 percent to 1,018.6 million metric tons （mmt） in 2009 after declining by 1.4 percent to 1,197 mmt in 2008.     

World Steel Association：china＇s steel use to go down 5%

China＇s apparent steel use, predicted to see a five percent decline in 2009, will lead the recovery for the whole world with a total steel use decline of 14,9 percent, the World Steel Association said here on April 27. The World Steel Association （Worldsteel）, which represents 180 steel producers, national and regional steel industry, forecasted that worldwide ap- parent steel use is expected to decline by 14.9 percent to 1,018.6 million metric tons （mmt） in 2009 after declining by 1.4 percent to 1,197 mmt in 2008.     

Penetrating Persisting and Partnering to Explore the International Market——Exclusive interview with Mr.Zhang Xiaoyu,Vice Chairman of CMIF

It can be said that the auto industry has seen a big shakeup since the breakout of the financial crisis last year, whether in China or in western countries. In order to help the auto industry keep its steady development, the Chinese government formulated the Automobile Industry Restructuring.and Revitalization Plan. Many other related institutes also took measures to assist the development of this industry. The China Auto International Exhibition Tour, organized by the China Machinery Industry Federation （CMIF） and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade （CCPIT）, has been engaged in introducing China＇s automobiles to the world and promoting the worldwide recognition of Chinese auto brands since 1995. Now, as the 7th China Auto International Exhibition Tour is about to begin, China＇s Foreign Trade interviewed Zhang Xiaoyu, Vice Chairman of CMIF, about the current status of the auto industry in China and China＇s auto exports in 2009.     

Restructuring： A Gathering Speed

What was the story？
Unlike the drastic changes in the market prices of the steel, the mergers and acquisitions taking place in China＇s iron and steel industry were carried out in a steady and effective manner, high in number and large in scale, efficiently increasing its concentration. While 2009 will be a critical year to fulfill the target in the concentration of the iron and steel industry, though increasingly difficult when it goes deeper, however, thanks to the favorable environments vouchsafed by the downturn of the steel market both at home and abroad as well as the supporting policies, the mergers and acquisitions will be quickened, expectantly bringing about the initial coexistence pattern of the maket leaders in iron and steel industry in 2009.     

LISIA： flooding in China＇s products hurt indonesian steel industry

Indonesian Iron Steel Industry Association （LISIA） has proposed the Trade and Industry Ministry as well as Finance Ministry to postpone the duty free agreements to 2018 from the designed effective date of January 2010, saying the flooding in China＇s steel products would largely injure the country＇s steel industry. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government has imposed safeguard tax on imports of steel nails and wire from China and Malaysia. The duties will last for three years, applicable from 1 October to 30 Sept 2012, with the rate of 145%, 115% and 85% of import value for eachof three years.     

Foreign, Private Stake to Rise in Financial Firms

China will gradually boost overseas participation in its financial industry and move to more flexible systems of interest rates and foreign exchange in the next five years. The country is scheduled to raise the ratios of stakes foreign and private funds can invest in small- and medium-sized financial companies at a ＂proper＂ pace from 2006 to 2010, said Zhou Xiaochuan, China＇s central bank governor.     

China Stimuli Package to Boost the Two ＂Pillar Industries＂

After China issued a RMB 4 trillion stimulus package, the central government and local governments sped up the formulation of plans related to the implementation of this big plan last November. On January 14, 2009, China＇s State Council unveiled plans for the auto and steel industry, put together by the National Development and Reform Commission in conjunction with other departments.     

Financial institutions requested to back industrial rebalance

Monetary policy should be made to meet multiple objectives rather than focus only on fighting inflation, Zhou Xiaochuan. governor of the People＇s Bank of China, the central bank, said on December 22. China＇s monetary policy covered four considerations, Zhou said at a forum on development and reform in China＇s financial sector in Beijing. referring to low inflation, economic growth, employment and balance of international payments.     

Steel Industry： Pains and Hopes

China＇s steel industry shows slowing trend
China＇s steel industry, which in the boom of the past few years has become the biggest in the world, is now facing a long and cold winter.