GOVT WORKING ON MECHANISM TO PREVENT DUMPING OF LOW QUALITY MATERIAL

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- The government is working on a mechanism
to prevent the dumping of low quality material into the country, says
International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, Jacob Dungau Sagan.

He said the mechanism is expected to be finalised soon.

"We want to build a standards systems to prevent the dumping of low quality
material," he told reporters after officiating the opening of the 2009 South
East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI) Conference and Exhibition Monday.

Earlier, Sagan said steel industry players needed to fight trade
protectionism and avoid trade conflicts in order to promote the better
utilisation of steel.

He also said better dialogue was needed in the region to work on
complementing one another.

"The current economic slowdown has affected the Asean steel industry and
caused a significant reduction in demand, especially in the construction and
manufacturing sectors," he added.

On the performance of the Malaysia's iron and steel industry, Sagan said in
2008, Malaysia's total trade of RM35.3 billion in iron and steel products
represented 4.4 percent of the total trade of manufactured goods.

He said exports of iron and steel products amounted to RM10.5 billion with
the major export markets being Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia
while imports stood at RM28.7 billion.

Meanwhile, the three-day SEAISI Conference and Exhibition is being held at
the Shangri-La Hotel here.
-- BERNAMA