Could you please give us some information about your company?
Ant Steel Engineers Asia has been set up through my own investment and also through investment by Al-Tuwairqi Group of Companies (ATG). Its location in the city of Pune, India, is ideal, as it is very close to Mumbai which is the business center of India. The company has been established to provide services required by the Indian steel industry which still has plenty of room left for growth. Crude steel production in the country is very low at present, about 55 million tons for 1.2 billion people, while an output of 160 million tons is targeted for 2020. The company executes projects on the basis of the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) concept for the steel industry.
Could you give further details regarding the company's activities and aims?
ANT Steel Engineers Asia is a company with highly qualified and experienced people in the steel industry operating in areas ranging from mining to the manufacturing of steel (blast furnaces, electric arc furnaces and rolling mills, etc.). These experienced professionals are able to provide engineering, technical and training services to the steel industry. The ultimate aim of our company is to set up a steel university in India. We are been working on this project with the government on a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) basis and with the steel industry. India has a lot of potential for growth in steel and it will need trained people in every area of the steel industry.
What are your projections for the Indian steel market in terms of production and consumption?
India is a mineral-rich country in terms of iron ore and coal resources, etc., which are required for steel production. On the other hand, India's current steel production, which is now 55 million mt, and its steel consumption of 44 kg per capita) in a population of 1.201 billion) is low compared to China, where steel consumption per capita stands at 315 kg. Also, India is a stable country both economically and politically. Thus there is plenty of room for this country to grow. 160 million tons of steel production by 2020 seems a realistic target. If this figure is reached by that time, it will represent a significant increase indeed, and there will be more demand for people, services, and engineering.
Do you have offices outside of India?
We are associated with certain companies both within and outside of India. However, I would not like to give names for now. We are targeting rapid growth and these companies with their diverse interests provide support for our plans.
What kind of a role would you like to see IREPAS play in the future of steel industry?
There are certain regions that will be more important for steel in the future. For me, the number one region is India, number two is the Middle East (particularly certain countries in the region), and number three is Brazil and other Latin America countries. So not only IREPAS but SteelOrbis also should concentrate on these regions.
What, in your view, are the prospects for a recovery in the steel markets?
The current troubled situation started with the difficulties in the financial sector. As a result, a recovery will be observed when relief is provided for the financial problems. Some regions have been affected more and others less by the crisis. Again, coming to India, the impact has been felt to a lesser degree for many reasons, but particularly due to the country's strong financial fundamentals. Meanwhile, it is my view that demand will register an increase in the near future.