According to media reports, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is moving forward with plans to establish an ASEAN Steel Council aimed at improving construction safety, harmonizing steel standards, and strengthening industrial policy coordination in the region.
The initiative follows growing concerns about structural safety amid increased seismic risks in parts of Southeast Asia following the earthquakes in Thailand and Myanmar. This is also due to the fact that the region is facing problems related to overcapacity, global competition and the urgent need to decarbonize steel production. Governments are seeking unified standards for steel grades and construction quality to protect urban infrastructure. The proposed ASEAN Steel Council will bring together representatives from the government, ministries of commerce, and industry regulators to coordinate on key policy areas such as standardization, trade remedies, capacity management, and sustainability.
The proposal received positive feedback from industry bodies, including the Malaysian Federation of Ferrous Metallurgy (MISIF) and other national associations. Stakeholders say the council can promote greater policy consistency, reduce unfair trade practices, and accelerate the transition to green steel production.
The formalization of the ASEAN Steel Council will be discussed at upcoming regional economic forums.
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