Govt forms committee to monitor billet supply

Egypt’s government will establish a permanent committee to monitor steel billet availability and supply chains, following complaints from rerolling mills over billet costs, import duties and production disruptions.

Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid and Industry Minister Khaled Hashem met representatives of integrated and semi-integrated steelmakers and rolling mills to discuss challenges facing the sector and ensure sufficient billet supplies at competitive prices.

The move follows calls by Egyptian rerollers for a review of safeguard duties on billet imports, which industry representatives say have increased costs and forced some mills to suspend production. Egypt introduced a definitive safeguard duty of 13pct in April 2026, scheduled to decline to 12pct from September 2026 to September 2027 and 11pct in the following year. The measure followed a provisional duty of 16.2pct imposed in September 2025.

The new committee will include representatives of the ministries of investment and industry, the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, and the Egyptian Competition Authority. It will assess market developments, billet availability and supply chain continuity.

Hashem said new licences for billet production had been offered under facilitated pricing and payment terms to encourage investment in melting capacity, strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. Companies awarded the licences were urged to accelerate implementation and start operations.

Farid said the government would continue examining companies’ complaints based on supporting data and on-site inspections. The ministers also highlighted global challenges, including the EU’s consideration of restrictions on scrap exports, and stressed the need to balance the interests of integrated steelmakers and rerollers.