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China lifts restrictions on steel import
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-11 17:07 China has announced it has
lifted restrictions on the import of steel, natural rubber, wool, acrylic fibers
and plywood according to its obligation to the World Trade Organisation, state
media said.
"All eligible enterprises can import the five commodities (from now on),"
Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry of Commerce as saying on Saturday.
The products are open to free trade as from Saturday, the third anniversary
of China's entrance of the WTO, according to its agreement with the trade body
in 2001, said the Ministry of Commerce website.
Before the relaxation, the Chinese government authorised only a limited
number of companies to act as agents for restricted import and export of these
commodities.
The restriction of timber import was already cancelled in 1999, Xinhua said.
China's steel product imports were down 15.17 percent to 23.93 million tons
in the first three quarters of this year compared with the same period of last
year, according to earlier state media reports.
Its steel product exports jumped 67 percent to 8.63 million tons during the
same period.
China Iron and Steel Association officials said its steel imports would
continue to be greater than exports in the next few years.
China's strong demand for steel amid a construction boom, together with the
lifting of the import restrictions, is expected to boost its
imports.
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