Posted on 04 Aug 2014
Steel manufacturers are denying allegations
that domestic steel prices have been increasing unreasonably, as claimed by
housing developers.
Fierce competition has kept prices in
check, both for imported and locally made steel, they said. But small and
medium-sized developers are complaining that prices of structural steel have
jumped since the government imposed stricter anti-dumping tariffs and safeguard
measures.
Developers said under the new import tariff,
the duty on hot-rolled coil, sheet and plate containing alloys such as boron
and chromium was raised to 33.11% from the usual import duty of zero to 5%.
They threaten to use substandard steel to lower costs.
Nava Chantanasurakon, deputy managing director
of Sahaviriya Steel Industries, said hot-rolled steel is on the Commerce
Ministry's price control list. Since 2013, prices have moved in tandem with the
global market from 21.5 to 22.5 baht a kilogramme. The tariffs are allowed for
members of the World Trade Organization.
