18/01/2010
Steel sovereign ArcelorMittal enters Pakistan
Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The ArcelorMittal, world's largest steel manufacturer, has entered into Pakistan to exploit its over 10 million tonnes iron and steel market following the prevailing steel crisis in the country.
ArcelorMittal, owned by an Indian industrialist Lakshmi Mittal, and having its headquarters in Luxembourg, has entered into the Pakistan's market with all sorts of iron and products including billets, slabs, deformed bars, low carbon wire rods, high carbon wire rods, beams, angle, channel, hot rolled coils, hot rolled plates, cold rolled coils, hot dip galvanized coils, pre-painted galvanized coils, galvalume coils, electrolytic tinplate coils, black plate, electrical steel, etc.
ArcelorMittal Manufactures while producing 116 million metric tonnes of iron and steel in 2007 had reduced to 103 million tonnes of iron and steel in 2008 but it is still the world's number one steel producer. Japan's Nippon Steel remains at the second place with 37 million tonnes per annum.
According to market sources, the ArcelorMittal, having larger products range than what Pakistan Steel makes, is likely to offer competitive prices in Pakistan.
Pakistan Steel, facing worst ever crisis since its inception, is producing only 35 per cent of the total capacity and that too with the larger content of local iron ore due to shortage of raw material. The biggest ever loot and plunder in the history, during last one-and-a-half year and misappropriation of about Rs22 billion, the profit-making Pakistan Steel is now on the verge of total collapse. Pakistan Steel's management has tried to rescue the mills by increasing steel products' prices last week. However, it is unlikely that price increase would be able to stabilise the mills as foreign players and imported items are out to give tough time to the steel mills.
Mittal Group was also eyeing on Pakistan Steel during Gen Musharraf's regime when former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz ordered Privatisation Commission to throw away the largest industrial complex of Pakistan for peanuts. The Mittal Group, however, could not participate in the bid
as Pakistan's laws prevent Indian buyers to bid for any Pakistani industrial or commercial facility.
Steel sovereign ArcelorMittal enters Pakistan - News
Moreover law in Pakistan are not fair for business.
Mr. Mittal can't blame to buy as he can't buy because of unfair law of Pakistan. It is some kind of racism.