Desk Report,
Major shift in the source of raw materials for rods
Two decades ago, shipbreaking factories were the main source of raw materials for making rods in the country. Iron plates and iron pieces obtained from shipbreaking were supplied to rod-making factories. This system has changed in the space of two decades. The once major source of raw materials for making rods is now shrinking. And that place has been taken over by imported iron pieces.
Major shift in the source of raw materials for rods
Steel industry entrepreneurs say that the best quality raw materials for making rods are available from the shipbreaking industry; but as the import of old ships has decreased, the supply of good quality raw materials from this source is also decreasing. In addition, activity is also decreasing in sectors such as re-export of steel-dependent products such as copper, brass and zinc, light engineering, small boat manufacturing and old furniture.
The Mostafa Hakim Group has businesses in both sectors – rod-making factories and shipbreaking industry. The group’s director, Mohammad Sarwar Alam, told Prothom Alo that the raw materials available from the shipbreaking industry, including rods, reusable machinery, plates for building ships, and pipes, are of excellent quality. This is because these products are manufactured under the supervision of international quality control organizations. If this source is reduced, the import dependence of these products will increase, which will also increase costs. The expansion of the small and medium-sized light engineering sector will also be hampered.
Two decades ago, shipbreaking factories were the main source of raw materials for making rods in the country. Iron plates and iron pieces obtained from shipbreaking were supplied to rod-making factories. This system has changed in the space of two decades. The once major source of raw materials for making rods is now shrinking. And that place has been taken over by imported iron pieces.
Steel industry entrepreneurs say that the best quality raw materials for making rods are available from the shipbreaking industry; but as the import of old ships has decreased, the supply of good quality raw materials from this source is also decreasing. In addition, activity is also decreasing in sectors such as re-export of steel-dependent products such as copper, brass and zinc, light engineering, small boat manufacturing and old furniture.
The Mostafa Hakim Group has businesses in both sectors – rod-making factories and shipbreaking industry. The group’s director, Mohammad Sarwar Alam, told Prothom Alo that the raw materials available from the shipbreaking industry, including rods, reusable machinery, plates for building ships, and pipes, are of excellent quality. This is because these products are manufactured under the supervision of international quality control organizations. If this source is reduced, the import dependence of these products will increase, which will also increase costs. The expansion of the small and medium-sized light engineering sector will also be hampered.
