Turkey to break record in steel production

By Erdal Celikel

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey expects to set a record in steel production by the end of 2017, the chairman of Turkish Steel Producers’ Association said on Wednesday.

"We foresee a record in steel production by exceeding 36 million tons by the end of this year," Fuat Tosyali told Anadolu Agency.

Tosyali said a market boom in China and the intensity of domestic infrastructure investment played significant roles in increasing steel production by boosting demand.

Turkey's crude steel production rose 13.3 percent on an annual basis in the first 10 months of 2017, reaching 31.05 million tons, according to the association's latest report, released on Nov. 16.

"The government is still in a position of being the biggest employer. It has serious infrastructure investments. Meeting its steel needs is our duty," Tosyali stated.

Tosyali said they will continue investments in 2018 as well contributing to employment, economic growth and exports.

"We believe that we will have a more dynamic year in 2018," he added.