Mittal Steel SA to hike prices

South Africa-based Mittal Steel SA, a unit of the world's largest steel group Arcelor Mittal, has announced plans to increase its prices of certain products by 5-7.5 percent, effective as of November 1, 2006. Accordingly, the prices of flat steel products, including plate, hot rolled coil and cold rolled coil, will be increased by 5 percent, while those of galvanized, color-coated and tin steel products will remain unchanged. With regard to long steel products, prices of structural steel, window sections and fencing material will increase. On the other hand, prices of billets, rebar, rail and certain qualities of wire rod will remain at their previous levels. The prices of certain other qualities of wire rod, however, will increase by up to 7.5 percent.