Thailand Eyes Integrated Steel Operation in 4-5 years

Secretary General Satit Chanjavanakul of Thai Board of Investment said on Wednesday the country could start operation of integrated steel plant in 4-5 years when Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Arcelor Mittal and Baosteel showed the willingness for the plan. He said to a reporter of Japan Metal Bulletin BOI will start the 6-month pre-study for the project with the offshore steel makers and selects one or more makers for the partner. The secretary general said Thai apparent steel consumption was 12.5 million tonnes in 2007 and the country depends most of 4.5 million tonnes of high valued steel supply for automobile and appliances on import from Japan. He said domestic integrated steel plant could serve the downstream industry including automobile when the steel consumption will reach 25 million tonnes in 10 years. BOI seeks potential offshore partner with high level technology including environmental friendly care and willingness to produce more than 2 million tonnes per year of high valued steel. The offshore 4 makers submitted concept letter for BOI by end January. The secretary general said BOI eyes southern part of coastal plant with 2,000 acre of land. The potential site is Chumphon, which is 600-700 kilometers south of Bangkok. He said Japanese 2 makers are advantaged position for the project when many transplants of Japanese automakers operate in the country.