Introduction

The global economic environment is challenging for all industries, including steel. Indian economy has not remained insulated from the downturn. The current market turmoil has dented the growth curve of various sectors in the country such as infrastructure, automobile, construction and white goods etc. This has impacted the Indian steel industry very severely. But with the Government’s initiative to boost up the economy by injecting funds in various core sector, the future of steel sector is expected to witness growth, as per the projection of some analysts. In fact, the industry has been experiencing a revival in demand since the beginning of the current year.

In view of the anticipated demand, though there are noticeable activities relating to capacity addition in public sector steel plants, some of the private sector projects, both greenfield and brownfield are failing to take off the ground. The reason for time over run are as diverse as liquidity crunch in the international market, rehabilitation issues, allotment of coal blocks and even doubts about the viability of future projects. Under the present scenario it is important to deliberate on the feasibility of achieving our targets for steel industry for the future years. Such interaction has to take due note of the huge steel consuming potential of our rural economy, considering abysmally low per capita consumption of steel in our villages. Our cherished goal for inclusive growth will remain unfulfilled till the time steel consumption in our villages is increased significantly. Considering this aspect we need to explore new areas for application of steel which will bring up our per capita steel consumption at least to world average. Projected investment in physical infrastructure (to the tune of $ 320 billion in next five years) is going to enhance the demand for steel to a considerable extent.

In view of large capacity addition target in power sector and associated transmission and distribution facilities, planned gas based economy and required pipeline infrastructure, stringent requirement of automobile and defence sector, there is a major requirements for special and value added steels. These areas have thrown open large opportunities for investment in steel sector in the country.

In the present context, ASSOCHAM with the support of Ministry of Steel, Government of India, is organizing the 3rd India Steel Summit in New Delhi, which is a sequel to our earlier Steel Summits held in previous years. It is a part of an ongoing effort by ASSOCHAM to catalyze the developments of steel sector in the country.

Deliverables from the Summit

• Insight into the policy & regulatory issues impacting growth
• Understand options & opportunities due to recent economic slowdown.
• Views of industry experts of future demand in the steel sector.
• Knowledge sessions covering critical & topical issues.
• Experience Sharing through Presentations & Case Studies.
• Interact and network with the stakeholders & policy makers.

Theme

• Sustainability and Inclusive Growth

Issues to be discussed

• Input Cost Prices & Efficiency of Operation
• Emerging issues, concepts and trends
• Capacity Augmentation & Infrastructure requirements
• Sustainability of raw material supply
• Environmental and R&R aspects
• Catalyzing demand from core sectors
• Rural Demand
• Financial & Taxation Issues
• User industry perception
• Foreign Investments
• Techno Economics & Modernization
• Users’ Perspective