'Iran's H1 crude steel exports up 64%'

'Iran's H1 crude steel exports up 64%' A new report says Iran increased its exports of crude steel and steel products by 64 percent during the first half of the current Iranian year (started March 21). Iranian steel companies have exported about USD 264.4 million worth of various steel products during the time span, while the figure for the same period last year was USD 161 million, IRNA quoted a report by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) as saying on Monday. During the period, around 658,000 tons of different steel products were exported. Round bar and iron beam exports indicated 188 percent and 140 percent growth respectively during the period, the report added. According to the World Steel Association (WSA), Iran was the second leading steel producer in the Middle East in 2010 after Turkey. The main steel mills of the country are located in Isfahan and Khuzestan provinces.