Remarking on Egypt's progress to date in cutting steel imports, the Egyptian Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that, whereas the country was a net importer of two million tons of steel about ten years ago with minimal exports, it registered exports of 900,000 tons of steel in 2006.
According to the official data given by the ministry, in 2006 the country produced about 4.3 million tons of steel.
A country which enjoys wide popularity in the Arab world, Egypt is becoming increasingly attractive for different countries all over the world, with many international steel companies reported to be eyeing investments there. For instance, a Saudi Arabian steel producer, whose name has not yet been disclosed, plans to build a new rebar mill in one of the Egyptian free trading zone.