National steel Industry figures up on last year

After the first three quarters, the national steel industry has shown measurable improvement over last year's performance and has managed to record an increase in profits of 14%. This apparent achievement was made possible by the bankruptcy of two steel mills - Ostrowiec and Malapanew - as a consequence of which the net value of the sector improved and its obligations fell. More alarming, though, is the growth in imports, which were not curtailed despite a protective policy on customs. Romuald Talarek, president of the Steel Industry Chamber of Commerce (HIPH) claimed, "The reasons for the improvement of the steel industry's net value are higher profits on sales and reduced operating costs." Talarek also emphasized that, despite the protection of the steel market, the mills' turnover balance in foreign trade is worsening. At present, it amounts to minus $500 million while last year it stood at $340 million in the black. However, the growth of imports is not felt by everyone. "Following the introduction of protective measures, the prices of sheet metal rose by 20%. Their only producer in Poland is the Sendzimira steel mill, which does not supply the market with sufficient volumes. As a result, there is a lack of both domestic and imported steel and those who need sheet metal for production, work at the very limits of profitability," said Lech Dulny president of MBA System, a furniture company. (Puls Biznesu, p. 9) A.C.