BNamericas reported that Peruvian steelmaker Aceros Arequipa expects to resume exports of billets and long products in the mid term.

An Aceros Arequipa executive said that "That is why we don't want to put the brakes on the rolling project, because we are going to have an excess of billets that will accumulate so we can sell them later on."

He added that for the moment, the company's exports are frozen but a government maneuver to promote infrastructure projects will generate work for the sector which will also bring cash flow.

He said that "We feel that the route the government is taking is the right one. Creating infrastructure and housing projects works for our industry, at least because it creates jobs."

Initially, Aceros Arequipa sent the bulk of its exports to Bolivia and shipped specialty products to Canada, Venezuela and Colombia. Exports amount to roughly 10% of the company's sales.

(Sourced from www.bnamericas.com)