The total production of finished steel during April-November 2004 has been provisionally estimated to be about 250.00 lakh tonnes as against the production of 239.89 lakh tonnes during the same period last year showing an increase of 4.2 per cent. The total production of pig iron during April-November 2004 has been estimated to be 18.50 lakh tonnes as against the production of 26.34 lakh tonnes during the same period last year showing a decrease of 29.76 per cent. The export of steel during April-November 2004 has been estimated to be 25.50 lakh tonnes, showing a decrease of 23.14 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year. Exports are showing a significant downward trend because an increase in domestic demand and the lowering DEPB rates as a consequence of reduction in the customs duty has significantly reduced the export benefits available to producers.
During the month of November 2004, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) have achieved a production of 1177, 1121 and 1001 thousand tonnes of hot metal, crude steel and saleable steel respectively representing 104 per cent, 106 per cent and 110 per cent of respective targets.
(Release ID :5715)