Steel makers defend import standards

Industry concerns and opposition to the plan emerged at a seminar entitled "How the Lifting of Compulsory Steel Standards will Affect the Construction Industry", held yesterday by the Council of Engineers, Engineering Institute, and Iron and Steel Industry Club.

The Thailand Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has said it will review enforcement of compulsory steel standards, which would pave the way for steel imports to ease local shortages and soaring prices.

But participants at yesterday's seminar argued that the end result would lead to the import of steel which may not meet construction standards.

Council of Engineers president Vira Mavichak said compulsory standards were necessary because engineers calculated the weight accommodation of structures based on steel standard's specific details.

"We expect TISI will not issue a resolution to lift the standards since Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti recently insisted he would not end the standard's enforcement," said Thailand's Iron and Steel Industry Club chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol. He said legal tools prevented an influx of cheap below-standard steel into the Kingdom.

"Almost every country has its own standard to protect its local steel makers from market dumping by other countries," said Thai Pathana Casting Steel executive Nikorn Susiriwattananont.

Many participants at the seminar suggested that public agencies, steel makers and users should discuss solutions to try to lower steel prices. However, they agreed that the government should reduce the application process for importing steel to shorten the waiting period and relieve pressure on steel importers.