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India's steel ministry backs industry's need to raise tariffs

India's steel minister will try to persuade the finance ministry to raise tariffs on steel imports, he said on Wednesday, to secure domestic mills from an increase in cheaper imports from countries such as China.

India, the world's 2nd biggest unrefined steel producer, turned net steel importer in the fiscal year through March, and the trend continued during the first four months of the financial year that began in April.

China was the top steel exporter to India from April to July, shipping about 807,000 metric loads to its neighbour. It was followed by Japan and South Korea.

Minister of Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy informed reporters on the sidelines of a market conference his ministry had actually asked for the Ministry of Steel take a number of steps to secure it from more affordable imports. They consisted of backing an industry need to raise tariffs on steel imports to 10% -12% from 7.5%.

Our steel market is dealing with a lot of problems. They are suffering, Kumaraswamy told press reporters.

The Indian government in August initiated an anti-dumping examination on certain steel items imported from Vietnam.

Steel mills such as JSW Steel (JSTL.NS), India's largest steel manufacturer by capacity, and Tata Steel, meanwhile, have said that the industry remained in talks with the federal government on trade procedures.

Steel costs in India have actually plunged to their lowest level in more than three years due to higher imports and subdued exports, according to information from products consultancy BigMint.

(source: Reuters)