By Kris M. Crismundo
MANILA, June 17 (PNA) — The Steel Angles, Shapes and Sections Manufacturers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SASSMAPI) has urged property developers in the country to patronize locally produced steel products rather than imported ones.
SASSMAPI Executive Director Ramon Khu told the Philippines News Agency that the industry fears not to sustain its robust growth in 2014 with the proliferation of imported and even smuggled steel products which are cheaper than the locally manufactured steel products.
Khu mentioned that sales of local steel industry increased by up to 30 percent last year with the efforts of the government to curb smuggling including steel products.
“It was a great year last year because we have a level playing field in the market,” he said.
He mentioned that some 6,000 metric tons of uncertified steel and angle bars amounting to Php200 million were confiscated in 2014.
“The reduction (of smuggled goods) has allowed the local industry to significantly increase its production last year,” Khu stressed.
The industry group urged the government, particularly the Bureau of Customs (BOC), to fortify efforts in curbing smuggling not only of steel products but other goods which are most commonly smuggled such as cement, ceramic tiles, rice, sugar, corn, palm oil, and tobacco, among others.
In order to continue the growth of the local steel industry, the SASSMAPI official has urged local developers, particularly the big firms, to patronize locally made steel products rather than imported steels.
“Our products are safer because it went through rigid testing and rigid implementation of standards,” Khu noted.
He added that the higher price of locally produced steels are pushed by higher import costs of raw materials as well as increasing labor and electricity cost.
“The local manufacturers give people the best prices and best products,” Khu said. (PNA)