For the development of the domestic market, steel in Ukraine, it is necessary to first restore mechanical engineering - Vasily Harhulah

Today, at a minimum, it is necessary to restore the level and quality of engineering, which was previously in Ukraine, said Vasily Harahulah, General Director of the Metallurgprom association.

If we really want to develop domestic metallurgy, then, first of all, we must think about who needs these products. The metallurgical industry is the basis of metalworking industries, and not in words that raise the country's economy. If earlier Ukraine produced 51 million tons of steel and more than half went to the domestic market, today more than 70% of the metal is shipped for export, Harhulah emphasized. Today, we buy tractors and combines abroad, and earlier Ukrainian machine builders delivered their equipment to all countries of the world. These distortions must be eliminated.

“The potential for the consumption of metal products inside the country is huge. Unfortunately, we are still “going” on what was 20 years ago - starting with the infrastructure of the housing and communal services and the transport system. Bridges, buildings, structures - all involves the use of metal and this must be updated. For example, Ukrzaliznitsy, from post -Soviet times, declares to purchase 2 thousand new wagons, then 5 thousand wagons, to replace worn locomotives, but the matter does not really go further than meager numbers. It is clear that a financial resource is needed to update, but it could be a significant market for Ukrainian metal consumption.

I am familiar with the project for the development of the country's economy for 2013-2014, proposed by the government from which it follows that in the domestic market this year the consumption of metal products can increase by 5.5-6 million tons, that is, almost halves compared to last year. If the program is adopted and the mechanisms for its implementation are found, sources of financing are determined, metallurgists are ready to put metal on the domestic market. Whether our metallurgists will be able to make quality metal - there is no doubt. The question arises, how much will it cost? If the cost of the metal is at the level or lower than the market price - the domestic market will consume such a metal, if higher - no one will work at a loss, ”says the general director of the Metallurgprom association.