It has been reported that the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) and the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC) have prepared the list of qualifed iron ore importers and submitted it for the approval of the Ministry of Commerce.
According to the report, the number of qualified importers has been reduced from 118 to 116, with just a slight adjustment being made to the list. In 2006, the number of qualified importers was reduced from 500 to 118.
The new list is considered as part of the preparations for the next round of the 2008 iron ore price talks.