During the IREPAS Conference, we held a brief interview with Ioannis Manessis, who was elected as the new president of IREPAS in March. The new president highlighted the impact of geopolitical developments and trade barriers on the sector, while emphasizing that IREPAS continues to serve as a vital platform that fosters dialogue and the search for solutions among producers, traders, and suppliers.
First of all, on behalf of SteelOrbis team, I would like to congratulate you on your new assignment.
Thank you.I'd also like to thank the IREPAS board for appointing me as the chairman, following the path of Ricardo Hugas, Uğur Dalbeler, Kim Marti, and Murat Cebecioğlu.
How do you think that the IREPAS is important for the steel industry?
I think that IREPAS is a platform that especially today, as we live in a world with different conflicts; we have the conflict in Iran, we have the conflict in Ukraine, around the world, is an important platform where producers, traders, suppliers, and clients can meet. They can discuss the challenges they face, whether it is freight costs, whether it is energy costs, or whatever you can imagine. We are also living in a world where we have a lot of trade barriers, that is a very big issue for global trade and for our industry as well. I think that IREPAS provides the space and the platform for everybody to discuss and try to find the solutions to the challenges, for example.
What do you think about the current state of the industry?
I think that the steel industry is never stable; it's always evolving. There are always challenges that need to be addressed. We are used to that. Now we live in a period when, as I said before, there are a lot of protectionist measures in the United States, in Europe, and in many parts around the world. People and governments are trying to level the playing field because the playing field of our industry has never been equal for everyone. You also see governments taking over steel plants, even in Europe. You see that in Italy, you see that in the UK, you see that in Hungary, things that we could not imagine a few years ago. So, I think that the steel industry today is in a very challenging time. It's a time, though, that producers can benefit from the global markets and, of course, can trade with the not-so-easy circumstances as before. In an industry like ours, which is a worldwide industry, trade is always something that will happen and needs to be there.
Do you think these challenges can create opportunities for the steel industry?
There are some opportunities for some regions, as I said before. We saw that very clearly in the United States, where there are many opportunities and the steel mills are growing. There are new investments all around. We hope that this will come also to Europe with new investments as well after a period of de-investment. So yes, every challenge is also an opportunity, and one has to be always on the lookout to see where this is.