The apex body of domestic steel makers, Indian Steel Association (ISA) has said that recovering economy, sprouting demand and improving prices raise hopes for India’s battered steel sector as it steps into the new year after covid-19 pandemic-induced disruptions turned 2020 into a disaster for the industry. As the sector experiences signs of better times, it expects good days ahead and surely no more outbreak like that of coronavirus infections.
ISA has stated that Indian steel industry grappled with tough times in running their operations as well as witnessed a sharp plunge in demand for steel soon after the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns disrupted overall economic activities. It also said adverse market conditions forced steelmakers to cut down their operations by up to 50 percent in April. It pointed out that there was a shortage of manpower as many workers migrated to their native places amid the lockdown as well as limitations on the number of staff working at an office or site after gradual unlocking.
It further said the outlook for the sector is turning positive and the industry expects the government will spend more on infrastructure in the new year, which will have a multiplier effect on demand. It also said the demand will show resilience to reach to pre-COVID level in 2021. It noted that in 2019, the demand was around 100.2 million tonne (MT) and that will fall to 81 MT in 2020. It also said helped by government spending and demand coming from steel-intensive sectors, the overall steel demand is expected to reach 100 MT in 2021. It added that demand is clearly visible and going forward is expected to become stronger which augurs well for the industry in 2021.
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