During his visit to Iranian steel producer Hormozgan Steel Complex, Iran's Minister of Industries and Mines Mr. Ali-Akbar Mehrabian stated that, with the commissioning of production at the eight steel mills currently being constructed in less developed parts of the country, Iran will become self-sufficient in steel by 2009 and will even be able to export its steel surplus.
The minister went on to say that in 2009 Iran plans to increase its steel output to 18 million mt.