Norilsk Nickel Director General Denis Morozov, during his visit to China, met with top managers of the country’s major companies and held a round table discussion that featured participation of heads of major state and private enterprises including TISCO, Baosteel, JISCO, Northeast Special Steel, Tsingshan Holding Group, Sichuan Southwest Stainless Steel Co. and others, Norilsk Nickel said in a press release.
During the meeting, Morozov spoke about current developments, production output, and development prospects of Norilsk Nickel. The parties shared their opinions and information on the global and Chinese nickel and stainless steel markets. “Fast and at the same time sustainable growth of the Chinese economy inspires respect. It is important to note that the growth is based on the development of the consumer goods production as well as heavy industries and metallurgy including the stainless steel sector. This fact has contributed largely to the growing Chinese demand for nearly every product of MMC Norilsk Nickel and demonstrated our Company’s great potential for further development and improvement of business relations with Chinese companies,” Morozov said.
In particular, the Company’s nickel exports to China amounted to USD 640 million in 2007, and in 2008 the sales will continue to grow.
Given the growing nickel on the part of Chinese consumers, Norilsk Nickel decided to become a member of the Chinese Stainless Steel Association in 2008. In this way Norilsk Nickel will provide access to and clarify both its policy in the Chinese market and information about the Company and its products.
In order to strengthen ties with nickel consumers in China, Norilsk will keep following its policy of signing direct contracts with large and medium end users experienced in foreign trade operations. In addition, the company will further develop its distribution chain to ensure nickel deliveries are available to medium and small enterprises in China. Norilsk Nickel will strongly focus on improving its sale services in Chinese market.