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Steel demand in India is expected to decline 14-17 per cent this fiscal, as the construction activities likely to get further impacted due to the second phase of lockdown, rating agency <keyword id="9063609" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="crisil-said-according">Crisil said.According</keyword> to the agency, the lockdown wfill not just affect construction activities, but also automobile production, which will thereby impact steel demand. Given the uncertainty in the current environment, <keyword id="6359483" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Crisil">Crisil</keyword> expects the steel demand to contract by 14-17 per cent for the fiscal considering that the nationwide lockdown is likely to continue through Q1 with some after effects in Q2. "The demand is expected to contract by 14-17 per cent assuming that the construction and production activities will begin at the end of the first quarter," the agency said. However, maintaining a pessimistic approach, assuming that partial lockdown continues through Q2 and construction activities and automobile production begin from Q2 FY21, demand contraction will increase to 22-25 per cent. "On a quarterly basis, steel demand would be a washout in the first quarter of this fiscal, given the pan-India lockdown that would hurt construction. All automobile plants have also been shut, which will further weaken demand prospects," the agency said. Also, since there is also no respite from the capital goods industry in the current scenario, demand will pick up only from the second half of this fiscal, it noted. Crisil further stated that a full-fledged recovery will take longer because of weak demand from infrastructure on account of lower capex by government, as funds are diversion towards health and public welfare. "Building and construction would contract this fiscal on account of weak demand from real estate and private individual home builders. Also, supply constraints for the automobile sector as well as muted demand with estimated gradual recovery only in the second half would lead to sluggish wholesale offtake," the agency said. However, it may be noted that on April 15 the government issued guidelines allowing construction activities in non-COVID-19 hotspots and has identified 170 districts as hotspots, while 207 districts as non-hotspots. Crisil further maintained that weakening capacity utilisation amid the virus outbreak would also weigh on industry capex, thereby dampening demand from the capital goods segment. "While demand would contract in the second quarter as well, pent-up demand release, especially in construction and infrastructure, would aid growth in the second half. No capacity additions are expected during the year since steel players have postponed capex plans," Crisil said. According to the agency, contracting demand growth will push the sector's utilisation level down further to 67-70 per cent (to be lower for electric arc furnace/induction furnace players), adding to the pain from the weakening to 76 per cent seen in fiscal 2020. Prior to the outbreak, 10 million tonne of steel capacity was expected to come on board in the second half of this fiscal. On steel prices, Crisil noted that global prices will continue to weaken amid slack demand. "While <keyword id="1334" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>'s activity picked up in March from its Covid-induced slump in February, steel demand in the first quarter of calendar year 2020 is estimated to have declined 30-40 per cent on-year. This has led to high inventory levels of 100 million tonne. While activities have begun to resume in China, we believe the demand would remain muted in the first half. "Property sales are also expected to drop significantly in 2020, thus crimping steel demand in China by 10-15 per cent for the year," it said. Moreover, the export market for China steel is almost non-existent as other economies grapple with Covid, leading to a four per cent year-on-year fall in prices to USD 486 per tonne for the first quarter of the year. "China steel prices are expected to correct further owing to weak demand, with the resultant fall in prices taking steel to USD 440-470 per tonne for 2020. This comes on 13 per cent decline in steel prices in China in 2019," it added. Crisil also expects EBITDA margin for the sector to contract by 100-150 basis points this fiscal. "Lower coking coal prices should limit margin erosion since prices would likely ease to USD 140-150 per tonne in 2020 from USD 177 per tonne in 2019. We expect iron ore prices to remain range-bound with an upward bias since tepid demand will offset the price rise owing to high bid premiums in Odisha auctions," it said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/topic/coronavirus">Coronavirus News and Updates</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/india-unemployment-job-losses-at-many-companies/articleshow/75130701.cms">India’s looming jobs crisis is starting to unravel within the first 21 days of coronavirus lockdown</a>

Steel demand likely to slip by 14-17%  in FY21, says Crisil

<ul><li>Chaman Metallics is the first Small and medium enterprises (SME) IPO of the year and received an overwhelming response from investors.</li><li>The IPO will be listed on exchanges on January 16.</li><li>Shares of the company will be listed on the SME NSE platform. </li></ul>The IPO of Chaman Metallics was subscribed 197 times by investors, on Friday which is the last day of the offer. Chaman Metallics is the first Small and medium enterprises (SME) IPO of the year, and has received an overwhelming response from investors. The IPO received bids of ₹4,777 crore as against issue size of ₹24.2 crore. The issue price of the IPO is at ₹38 per share. The IPO will be listed on exchanges on January 16 on the NSE SME platform. NSE SME is the National Stock Exchange platform for small and medium enterprises. The companies can migrate to the mainboard of exchange after fulfilling certain conditions. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Category of investors </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Subscription status </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Qualified institutional buyers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> 1.0 times </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Non institutional investors </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">255.81 times </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Retail </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">195.85 times </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Overall </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">197.31 times </td></tr></tbody></table>Mainboard IPO Sah Polymers which opened for investors this week along with Chaman Metallics, was subscribed by 17.46 times as on its last day. Chaman Metallics is primarily engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling of direct reduced iron (i.e. sponge iron). Sponge iron is mainly used as a raw material for making steel in electric arc furnaces and induction furnaces. It operates a manufacturing facility located in Chandrapur, Maharashtra with an installed production capacity of 72,000 metric tonnes. The company sells its products primarily in Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/foreign-institutional-investors-sell-shares-nearly-5000-crore-in-first-four-trading-days-of-2023/articleshow/96790974.cms">Foreign institutional investors sell nearly ₹5,000 crore worth equities in first four days of 2023</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/an-aai-and-two-college-dropouts-home-snacks-biz-sends-shark-tank-judges-into-a-bidding-war/articleshow/96784920.cms">An aai and two college dropouts’ home snacks biz sends Shark Tank judges into a bidding war</a>

Chaman Metallics, first SME IPO of 2023, subscribed 197x

<ul><li>Four initial public offerings (IPOs), namely, Sah Polymers, Rex Sealing and Packing Industries, SVS Ventures and Chaman Metallics are open for subscription this week.</li><li>The four IPOs are expected to collectively raise almost ₹110 crore.</li><li>Sah Polymers, a polymer manufacturer and packaging solutions provider, will be launched on the main board of the BSE and NSE.</li><li>Rex Sealing and Packing Industries, real estate developer SVS Ventures and steel producer Chaman Metallics will be listed on the small and medium enterprise (SME) indices.</li></ul> The first week of 2023 has kicked off with four initial public offerings (IPOs) that will either launch or are already open for subscriptions, carrying forward the momentum of the year before – when 38<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/best-and-worst-performing-ipos-of-2022-in-india/articleshow/96160391.cms"> companies launched their issues</a> despite volatile market conditions. While three IPOs – that of Sah Polymers, Rex Sealing and Packing Industries, and SVS Ventures – are currently open for investor subscription, that of Chaman Metallics will open on January 4. These four IPOs are expected to collectively raise almost ₹110 crore. Sah Polymers, a polymer manufacturer and packaging solutions provider, will list on the mainboard of the BSE and NSE. However, Rex Sealing, real estate developer SVS Ventures and steel producer Chaman Metallics will be listed on the small and medium enterprise (SME) indices. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Open date </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Close date </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPO size </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sah Polymers </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dec 30, 2022 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jan 4, 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹66.3 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rex Sealing and Packing Industries </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dec 30, 2022 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jan 4, 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹8.09 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">SVS Ventures </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Dec 30, 2022 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jan 4, 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹11.24 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chaman Metallics </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jan 4, 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Jan 6, 2023 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹24.21 crore </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> <keyword id="13674457" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sah-Polymers-IPO" source="Orion">Sah Polymers IPO</keyword> to raise ₹66.3 crore Udaipur-based Sah Polymers opened its initial public offering (IPO) on December 30 and will close on January 4, 2023. The price band of the IPO is set at ₹61-65 per share. The company’s ₹66 crore IPO is a complete fresh issue of 10.2 million shares, with no offer for sale (OFS) component. The shares of the company are currently commanding a grey market premium (GMP) of ₹9 per share. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/grey-market-premium-what-is-it-and-where-is-it-coming-from/articleshow/95454371.cms">GMP is the premium at which IPO shares are traded </a>in an unofficial market before they are listed on the stock exchanges. The company is primarily engaged in manufacturing and selling of polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) bulk bags (or FIBC bags), woven sacks, and HDPE/PP woven fabrics. Sah Polymers intends to use part of its net proceeds from the IPO to establish a new facility with an additional installed capacity of 3.96 billion tonnes per annum to manufacture different variants of FIBC products. Once set up, it will double the company’s total production capacity to 7.92 billion tonnes per annum. The company also intends to use a part of the proceeds to repay debt, fund working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. Rex Sealing IPO to be listed on SME exchange Rex Sealing opened its IPO last week and will close on January 4. The price of the IPO is set at ₹135 per share. The company plans to raise ₹8.09 crore through a fresh issue worth ₹4.05 crore, and an offer for sale by promoters and shareholders worth ₹4.04 crore. The IPO will be listed on the BSE SME exchange. The company intends to use proceeds from the fresh issue to fund working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes. The shares of the company are currently indicating a grey market discount of ₹5 per share. The company is a manufacturer and exporter of sealing packing and insulation products including jointing sheets, fabric expansion joints, and ceramic fibre products. Rex Sealing and Packing Industries is in the process of setting up an additional manufacturing facility at Ambernath, measuring 4,000 square metres for expansion of business and manufacture of all types of asbestos-free gasket sheets for automotive, steel and other processing units. SVS Ventures IPO to raise ₹11.24 crore The real estate developer also opened its IPO last week and will close on January 4. The price of the issue is set at ₹20 per share. The company plans to raise ₹11.24 crore through a complete fresh issue of shares. The IPO will be listed on the BSE SME exchange. The company intends to use proceeds from the fresh issue to fund working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes. The shares of the company are currently indicating a grey market discount of ₹5 per share. The company is in the business of construction and real estate development, focusing primarily on residential and commercial projects in and around Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The company’s business operations include development of real estate projects in the residential segment comprising apartment type complexes, villas, largely catering to the middle income and high income group. Its projects are marketed and sold under the brand name of "SVS Ventures (formerly known as Vijay &amp; co.) <keyword id="15944882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chaman-Metallics-IPO" source="Orion">Chaman Metallics IPO</keyword> to open on January 4 Steel producer Chaman Metallics’ IPO will open on January 4 and close on January 6. The price of the issue is set at ₹38 per share. The company plans to raise ₹24.21 crore through a complete fresh issue of shares. The IPO will be listed on the NSE SME exchange. The company intends to use proceeds from the fresh issue to meet working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes. The shares of the company are currently commanding a grey market premium of ₹23 per share. Chaman Metallics is primarily engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling of direct reduced iron (i.e. sponge iron). Sponge iron is mainly used as a raw material for making steel in electric arc furnaces and induction furnaces. It operates a manufacturing facility located in Chandrapur, Maharashtra with an installed sponge iron production capacity of 72,000 metric tonnes. The company sells its products primarily in the states of Maharashtra, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/incred-capital-acquires-alternate-asset-advisory-firm-orowealth/articleshow/96678261.cms">InCred Capital acquires alternate asset advisory firm Orowealth</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/stock-picks-for-2023-lt-sbi-axis-bank-among-top-brokerage-picks-for-the-new-year/articleshow/96667625.cms">Stock picks for 2023: L&amp;T, SBI, Axis Bank among top brokerage picks for the new year</a>

From Sah Polymers to Chaman Metallics – Four IPOs that plan to raise almost ₹110 crore this week

New Delhi, Apr 30 () Domestic steel makers are likely to face muted demand and oversupply which would lead to suppressed steel prices post-lockdown, according to a report by India Ratings (Ind-Ra). Besides, they are also expected to face issues with availability of workforce and logistics movement, the report released on Thursday said. "Muted demand and oversupply is likely to create a loop leading to suppressed prices until either there is a substantial uplift in demand or a substantial volume goes out of the market," it said. Ind-Ra said the nationwide lockdown has aggravated the challenges for the steel sector. "With the relaxation in lockdown in many districts across India starting May 4, 2020, Indian steel players will look to gradually increase capacity utilisations. The key challenges in the near term are manpower availability and ensuring finished inventory to normal levels," the report said. "While steel and its raw material commodities have been classified as essential goods, the logistical constraints may remain due to non-availability of fleet and longer trip time," it added. The agency said it had already revised the sector outlook to negative from stable for financial year 2020-21 in February 2020. Domestic steel demand in FY21 is likely to drop by around 12-15 per cent year-on-year with end-use industries being closed down and limited demand growth expected over the near term. Demand from infrastructure, construction and real estate sectors is likely to be subdued in 1HFY21 (first half of FY21) with the lockdown in 1QFY21 (April-June FY21) and the monsoon season over 2QFY21 (July-September FY21), it said. Furthermore, the demand from automobile, white goods and capital goods sectors is likely to reduce with consumers deferring discretionary spends in the near term. As such, government spending on infrastructure is likely to be the key driver for a gradual recovery over 2HFY21. The agency further said that it expects an inventory build-up primarily of intermediate/semi steel products with downstream facilities of most players being closed during the lockdown. Large producers have also kept their blast furnaces operational at lower capacity of 35-50 per cent due to the high cost of restarting the furnace in case it was to be shut. However, small and mid-scale producers with induction/electric arc furnaces remained completely shut during the lockdown. "The built-up inventory shall put pressure on steel prices post lockdown and the agency expects a correction of INR 3,000/MT in average realisations over FY21 on a y-o-y basis. "As of end-March 2020, hot rolled coil prices (Delhi 2.5-8mm, IS2062) were 3 per cent lower while rebar prices were 9 per cent lower than those at end-January 2020 when there were limited concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in India," it said. Ind-Ra said the sector will need government support in terms of keeping a close watch on imports from countries with which India has signed free trade agreements (FTA). ABI RVK

Weak demand, oversupply to hurt steel makers post-lockdown: Ind-Ra

Mumbai, Apr 27 () Domestic steel players need to gear up to raise production by improving efficiency and reducing cost to tap into the international markets, as China has become a net importer due to the COVID-19 impact, said JSPL Managing Director V R Sharma. Speaking at an online seminar organised by the All India Induction Furnaces Association (AIIFA) along with Hyve India, the managing director of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) said the fall in domestic demand for steel is a temporary phenomenon and will pick up once the government agencies start tendering major infrastructure projects. "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, China's steel production was affected for nearly four months from December 2019 and, thus, they started importing steel from every possible source from March 2020. So, today, China is a net importer of steel and we have no threat from that country," Sharma said. He added that at the same time, the demand from southeast Asian countries and Europe is also increasing as their activities are also impacted. "Therefore, Indian players need to gear up to increase production by reducing cost and improving efficiency." In Europe, the demand is coming from Italy, Spain and Germany because the steel industries there were also severely impacted due to the pandemic. "Similarly, a good demand is coming from Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and also from China and we need to take advantage of this by selling as much as we can," he added. Also, with a number of infrastructure projects slated to be tendered by various government agencies, this will give the necessary boost to domestic demand for steel. "Union Minister for Highways Nitin Garkari recently said there are nearly 460 large projects which will come into action by December 2020, which include the ambitious Bharatmala and Sagarmala projects. Along with these, we are expecting projects from the Indian Railways and other state agencies like BHEL, PGCIL and others like the irrigation department. "Once these projects are declared by the government, we will be in a position to sell more steel. There will be so much demand in India that will become an importer of steel if we don't gear up," Sharma added. Besides, the iron ore mines are now operational and there is sufficient availability of domestic coal, which can be used for increasing steel production, he added. "The government and the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) are taking all the necessary steps from their end. We cannot expect the government to do everything. While we should focus on improving productivity, the government can ensure movement of trucks and tendering of projects as fast as possible. Also, the government can support the industry in terms of moratorium and not declaring companies as NPAs (non-performing assets)," Sharma added. PSK HRS

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Steel demand likely to slip by 14-17% in FY21, says Crisil

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Chaman Metallics, first SME IPO of 2023, subscribed 197x

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From Sah Polymers to Chaman Metallics – Four IPOs that plan to raise almost ₹110 crore this week

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Weak demand, oversupply to hurt steel makers post-lockdown: Ind-Ra

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Firms need to gear up to raise output for tapping steel markets ceded by China due to COVID-19: JSPL

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