S. Africa's carbon steel sales up in 2004

S. Africa’s carbon steel sales up in 2004

South African Iron and Steel Institute (SAISI) disclosed that a 3.7% expansion in the country's economy propelled South Africa's domestic carbon steel sales up 19.8% in 2004. SAISI indicates that domestic sales of carbon steel increased 5.2% year on year in December 2004. The largest year-on-year jump in sales came in September (35.7%). South Africa mainly uses carbon steel in the manufacturing, mining and construction sectors. SAISI expects domestic carbon steel sales to increase further this year as the government plans to invest Rand 180 billion (around $28.9 billion) on infrastructure projects such as ports and railways over the coming five years.