World Steel Association ups its steel demand forecast

摘要

Following a contraction of 6.6% in 2009, global apparent steel use is on course to leap 13,1% this year to 1,272 billion tonnes - outstripping the pre-crisis peak of 1.222 billion tonnes recorded in 2007, And further demand growth of 5.3% to 1.34 billion tonnes is predicted for 2011 in the latest short-range outlook from the World Steel Association (WSA). The body's first short-range outlook after the economic crisis in 2009 had predicted 8.4% steel demand growth this year. The upward revision is due to 'a better-than-expected forecast for the developed economies - particularly the EU, NAFTA and the CIS - as well as the continued strong rebound in most emerging economies', comments Daniel Novegil, Chairman of the VVSA's Economics Committee. 'This suggests a steady and stable steel recovery, and our current fore- cast does not foresee a double-dip recession as feared by some.'