Speaking at a press conference in Mashhad yesterday, Mr. Seyed Hossein Ahmadi said that steel industry is the basic of the national economy, adding that major part of the country’s gas and energy is used by neighboring countries but Khorasan Steel Company with over 5000 staff turns the energy into the value-added.
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
He went on to say that the company has created production value chain as steel from the mine to production is carried out directly. Ahmadi went on to say that despite sanctions, exports of steel sections have increased. He added that steel industry in eastern part of the country was implemented where the land was not suitable for cultivation.
Ahmadi added that steel is one of the major sanctions targeted by the U.S. and the company in the first five months despite sanctions has increased its exports by 120% comparing to the same period last year.
He went on to say “This challenge has always been that if forex resources are set in the sanctions climate, their return would be difficult.” Ahmadi noted that the government by changing its approach and focusing on steel and petrochemical industries has helped energy to be consumed in those countries for having value-added.
He stated that in Isfahan Province there is no water and mine and in Khuzestan there is water but no mine. Ahmadi added that in Khorasan Province there are mines, water dam and power plant which shows strategic planning which had been adopted in the past years in order that this industry could be developed from mines to the consumption.
He added that despite problems in some parts and iron ore projects, the company has increased its exports in the first five months.
Meanwhile head of technology and planning office of the company Mr. Behrouz Esmaeeli said that expansion of rail transportation is one of the most important issues in the steel industry. He added that this year 200 cargo wagons have been added to the eastern region of the country’s transportation fleet which can reduce the cost for transporting the raw material in Khorasan.
He added that the company is to hire 220 new staff to replace those who have retired.
