The Hindu Business Line : SAIL to launch expansion plan with B2B meet in Sept

STEEL Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) will kick off its ambitious Rs 25,000-crore expansion programme with a B2B meet in Delhi on September 10, where all leading global steel consultants and contractors have invited to make presentations.

According to sources, participants in this meet are expected from technology and equipment suppliers, engineering, procurement and construction companies and strategic alliance partners.

SAIL's corporate plan states that the total steel producing capacity will be increased from the existing 13 million tonnes per annum to 20 million tonnes per annum by 2012. The total expansion programme is divided into two phases.

In the first phase, SAIL officials said, the capacity will be increased to 16 million tonnes for a total investment of Rs 4,300 crore. It will comprise mostly de-bottlenecking of the existing facilities and some brownfield expansion projects.

"The participants will meet SAIL's top brass to get a first hand knowledge on different projects covering major areas of steel production. The objective of SAIL is to enhance its vendor base so as to tap the latest and best technology for ensuring timely and effective implementation of the projects," SAIL officials said.

The first phase of the expansion programme, which will pave way for the launching of major investments during the next phase of the growth plan, will continue till 2011-12.

The proposed B2B meet is being organised concurrently with the 5th International Trade Fair-cum-Minerals, Metals, Metallurgy & Materials 2004 Exhibition.

"The major target of the expansion programme is to strengthen SAIL's global competitiveness by targeting 100 per cent production through basic oxygen furnace and continuous casting route," sources said.