Arab Steel reported that the Libyan Iron and Steel Company has achieved increase in production of long products during the first 9 months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

According to data supplied by LISCO, total production of rebars amounted to 447,000 tonnes against 415,000 tonnes in the same period in 2008. The volume of its sales of rebars amounted to 677,000 tonnes against 593,000 i.e. up by 13%.

However, the production and exports of flat products declined. Its total production of the hot rolled products amounted to 276,000 tonnes during the first 9 months of 2009 against 387,000 tonnes in the same period in 2008.

The exports also declined from 317,000 tonnes during the first 9 months of 2008 down to 127,000 tonnes during the same period in 2009. This decline in exports is due to the decreasing demand in the foreign markets, especially in the European markets to which most exports were directed.

Contrary to exports, the domestic market saw a demand growth for the hot rolled products during the first 9 months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

(Sourced from Arab Steel)