GOMEL, 31 December (BelTA) – In 2014 Belarusian Steel Works (BMZ trademark) exported over 2 million tonnes of metal products, 114.6% as against 2013 in physical terms, the company's press secretary Alexander Olesik told BelTA.
In money terms export growth rate totaled 105.6% due to the heavy competition on international markets of ferrous metals in the last 12 months.
The company's hardware export rose by 7% in 2014. The bulk of the export growth has been secured by metal cord and steel wire — 7.2% up and 8.6% up respectively. In particular, the growth rate of metal cord sales to factories of the major transnational corporation Continental totaled 122.3% as against 2013. An increase in sales of steel wire has been secured thanks to export to Germany, Poland, and Finland.
In 2014 BMZ explored five new markets, including Algeria and Sri Lanka. The company resumed export to ten countries, including Denmark, Tunisia, India, and other ones.
Speaking about the company's order portfolio for 2015, the source said it is being gradually filled up. Contracts have been signed for key products already. For instance, there are plans to ship about 70,000 tonnes of oil and gas industry pipes to the USA and 35,000 tonnes to Russia. The European Union will buy another 40,000 tonnes of pipes.
Annual contracts have been signed for the delivery of hardware products such as metal cord, high-pressure hose wire, and bronzed bead wire with all the key consumers. The company has kept the full extent of its markets in Europe, Russia, North and South Americas.