China will issue more policies to curb steel export from expanding, according to Hu Chunli, director of Industry Development Institution of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

   The expected policies will cover qualification certification of steel export enterprises and restriction on launching of iron and steel projects.

   Hu made the remarks at the 2007 China Steel Export Summit sponsored by CBI China Co. Ltd.

   Industry experts disclosed that China may adjust the export rebate on export of pipe to zero, and levy duties on some products which have shown a strong pep of increases.

   He held that the restriction policy is aimed to satisfy domestic demand, downsize production capacity, prevent overcapacity, restrict steel export, and raise market access threshold.

   According to the latest statistics released by the General Customs Administration, China imported 5.38 million tons of steel products in August of this year, down 9.4 percent month on month.

   The import of steel and steel billets reached 11.545 million tons and 170,000 tons from January to August, down 8.1 percent and 41.8 percent respectively year on year.

   The export of steel and steel billets reached 45.08 million tons and 5.61 million tons, up 83.8 percent and 10.9 percent respectively year on year.

   China's net steel export stood at 33.53 million tons in the period, and that of steel billets, 5.43 million tons, equivalent to 41.10 tons of crude steel, up 135.13 percent year on year.

   Hu listed three major factors which may exert impacts on China's export of steel products, namely brisk demand on international market, high profit rate from export and limited effect of the macro control policies and measures taken by the government.