STEEL PRODUCTION & EXPORT SHOW GROWTH

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The total production of finished steel in the country from April to October, 2002, has been provisionally estimated at 18.10 million tonnes (MT) as against the production of 17.18 MT during the same period last year showing an increase of 5.3 per cent. The total production of pig iron during the period has been 2.8 MT against the production of 2.21 MT during the same period of 2001-02 showing an increase of 26.1 per cent. The export of steel during the months has been estimated at 18 lakh tonnes showing a growth of 2.85 per cent, as compared to the corresponding period last year.

The apparent domestic consumption of finished steel till October, 2002 is 15.95 MT, which is higher by 6.6 per cent than the same period last year. Similarly the consumption of pig iron is up by 24.7 per cent this year upto October, 2002 as compared to the corresponding period of 2001-02.