Top 10 quotes from IABr's 29th Brazilian steel congress

Industry decision-makers, analysts, current and former government officials and academics came together in São Paulo this month for Brazil's 29th steel congress to discuss the challenges faced by the local industry, as well as the opportunities.

Here is a digest of what was said at the event, which was held by Brazil's national steel association IABr from August 21-22, on the most pertinent issues facing the industry today.

MICHEL TEMER

"I am aware of the Brazilian steel industry concerns with [the current] global protectionism and reaffirm that we must protect our industry," President Michel Temer (pictured) said at the opening of the event.

MARCOS JORGE DE LIMA

"There is no strong nation without a strong industry. We believe that there is room for growth, but we must tread a path with reforms and control of expenses," said Brazil's development, industry and trade (MDIC) minister, Marcos Jorge de Lima, on Brazil's current need for reforms to foster growth.

SÉRGIO LEITE

"Only South America has not presented a position on this issue. We need to define our position and return Brazil to its leading role in world trade relations," said Sérgio Leite, CEO Usiminas and IABr's new chairman, on the US and EU tariffs and safeguards on steel imports affecting global trade.

SHUNKO ROJAS

"Global [steel] demand is tending to become stronger, thus making prices rise, creating opportunities for companies in the industry around the world. For China, the projections are falling due to efforts to reduce capacity and the shift from an economy based on investments and exports to another focused on domestic consumption," said Shunko Rojas, Argentina's undersecretary of foreign trade and chair of the G-20 Global Forum, commenting on global steel overcapacity.

NAE HEE HAN

"The reduction of excess capacity in China is a natural move, since economic processes such as digitization generate more efficiency in the production and use of steel," said Nae Hee Han, World Steel Association's (worldsteel) director for economic studies and statistics, on Chinese efforts to reduce steel capacity.

GUSTAVO WERNECK

"The steel industry in Brazil doesn't need incentives or benefits, but competitive isonomy and conditions. This involves improving external factors, such as tax complexity," said Gustavo Werneck, the CEO of steelmaker Gerdau, on governmental factors impacting the steel sector.

MARCELO CHARA

"We believe that Brazil has enormous potential and that recovery is possible if we work together. We must remember that, although China's industry accounts for 34% of the nation's GDP, in the US this figure stands at 14%," said Marcelo Chara, president of Ternium in Brazil, on a more optimistic view about the local steel sector condition.

JEFFERSON DE PAULA

"We believe in steel, in the company and in Brazil. Even with the recession in the last few years, we did continue to invest more than 1bn reais [US$243mn) annually in the country," said Jefferson de Paula, CEO and executive VP of ArcelorMittal Long Carbon Americas, who also stated that the country needs long-term state policies, which also involves legal framework and innovation, one of the essential factors to take advantage of market opportunities.

PETER LEVI

"We need to think about sustainable development coupled with energy security, reconciling a low transition cost. For this, the synergy of the steel sector with other industrial sectors is essential," said Peter Levi, an energy technology analyst at the International Energy Agency (IEA), who added that the reduction of CO2 emissions in the global steel sector is done through processes for improving smelter operations and the recycling of gases.

ANTONIO SÉRGIO MARTINS MELLO

"We're experiencing a political transition in Brazil and we have to make proposals and create a clear industry position to transform the country's political agenda into a development and growth agenda," said Fiat Chrysler director and VP of automakers association Anfavea, Antonio Sérgio Martins Mello, on the country's current political and economic scenario affecting the local industry.