Fedemetal Seeks to Protect Sector

Representatives of Colombia's iron and steel sectors are continuing to search for a formula to introduce protectionist measures similar to those taken, or being considered, by their neighbors, metallurgy chamber Andi-Fedemetal director Juan Manuel Lesmes told BNamericas.com. After a meeting their Venezuelan counterparts, the Colombian association concluded customs duties were being raised in neighboring countries, and "we've fallen behind in this respect, and that doesn't suit us," Lesmes said. The association is asking the government to increase tariffs following measures adopted by Mexico, and ones that could be taken by Brazil, Venezuela and the US. Now representatives from the local iron and steel sectors will meet to agree on a unified strategy and to propose to the government what protective measures it should take to, as they put it, correct trade distortions. "Otherwise we'll be swamped," said Lesmes. From January to August 2001 iron and steel production in Colombia rose 8.9% compared to the same period last year, while total sales increased 11.7%, Fedemetal said. Output of metal products increased of 5%, compared to the same period in 2001, while total sales were 2.5% higher.