Iran to increase steel output

Iran's two Isfahan-based steel mills, Mobarakeh and Saba, plan to increase the country's steel production capacity 2.7 million tons every year over the next four years. The Fourth Cultural and Socioeconomic Development Plan (2005-2010) envisages steel production to increase 10 million tons over the period to meet the country's growing demand. Iran's annual steel requirement stands at 16 million tons, while domestic production currently accounts for only 65 percent of the demand.