Mobarakeh Steel Group, the Middle East’s largest steel producer, has urged the Indian government to grant market access to Iranian companies, particularly for the export of semi-finished steel products, according to an Indian newspaper report.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Iran Expo, Abouzar Alvandi, Export Head for Far East and Middle Asia at Mobarakeh Steel, highlighted India’s position as the world’s second-largest steel producer and its fast-expanding infrastructure sector. He urged Indian authorities to grant Iranian companies a modest share in the steel import market, particularly for products like steel slabs, to help sustain exports amid ongoing international sanctions.
Mobarakeh Steel Group accounts for over half of Iran’s steel output and is the leading global producer of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI). Its products serve key sectors such as construction, automotive, appliances, and packaging.
Alvandi highlighted the impact of US and EU sanctions, noting difficulties with international payments, especially through the SWIFT system, which force Iranian exporters to rely on intermediaries due to buyers’ fears of blacklisting.
He also cited severe logistical challenges, with few shipping companies willing to send vessels to Iranian ports, further complicating direct trade efforts.