THEglobal steel sector is passing through a phase of extraordinary growth due to all round growth in steel demand led by China and India. International Iron & Steel Institute's (IISI) provisional report shows that the world crude steel production has increased from 1,250 million tonne in 2006 to 1,343 million tonne in 2007. China, with 489 mt of crude steel production, continues to be the largest steel producer in the world, whereas India with 53.1 mt now ranks fifth, up from its eighth rank in 2003. Steel consumption in India is presently growing at nearly 12% and keeping in view the anticipated growth in infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, the demand is further likely to grow by 14-16% during the next few years. During the current year, between April-December 2007, the domestic steel demand has grown at 12.2% over the same period of previous year. However, production has grown at 6.6% in April
