With its exports for 2009 expected to reach 950,000 mt, Liaoning Province-based Chinese steelmaker Benxi Steel now ranks as the third largest steel exporter among domestic steel mills. In 2009, the number of overseas customers which have established cooperative relationships with Benxi Steel has doubled compared with the previous year, rising to 42.
With the Southeast Asia relatively close to China, Benxi Steel has attached great importance to developing the emerging markets in Southeast Asia. At present, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, among others, have become important markets for Benxi Steel. In 2009, the producer has sold nearly 150,000 mt of steel products to the Southeast Asian market, representing a significant increase compared with the previous year.