Chairman of the Metallurgical Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HIPH) in Katowice Stefan Dzienniak, points out that the accumulation of these risks can be a threat to the stable operation of some mills, hence the demand for the introduction of mechanisms to strengthen the competitiveness of the steel sector.
“One of the most significant challenges to the steel mills in Poland is the threat from non-EU countries that use unfair or aggressive competition, particularly China and Belarus”, – pointed out on Thursday the president.
at the end of March, the European Commission initiated anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of Belarusian steel rebar. This is the second case, when the anti-dumping proceeding initiated by the Commission on the initiative of Polish industry.
“As a result of the economic slowdown in Russia, Belarus recently redirect exports from the Russian market for the EU. As a result, the immediate vicinity of our country of Belarus, imports of steel products to the Polish in this country has increased dramatically, “- explained the president of the Chamber.
The situation of the Polish steel plants are also affected by global overproduction and weakening the competitiveness of the steel industry in Europe, due to m .in. the restrictive climate policy. Representatives of the steel sector estimate that the Chinese excess production, exceeding the entire current consumption of steel in the EU, and considered the possibility of granting China market economy status, is a real threat to jobs in the EU countries, including Poland.
Another a key challenge for the industry is the high cost of energy, weakening the competitiveness of the hut. In this respect – indicates the environment Metallurgical – there are many areas requiring action by government to restore the Polish steelworks equal conditions for competition on the local and international market.
“It eg. On the requirements of Law of environmental protection and IED system and the costs of emissions trading CO2 compensation to cover the indirect costs of allowances “- enumerated Dzienniak, recalling that in this context, the industry recommends a package of changes to the structure of the energy costs for energy entities in the hut.
One of the demands it concerns the fact that for the purpose of stabilizing the national power system to exploit the potential hut based on the best practices in the field of so-called. Demand Response (DSR) developed in other EU countries. As a result, mills could benefit from cheaper energy – its price would vary depending on the demand for it at that time.
President HIPH recalled that not long ago the steel industry was faced with the challenge was the fight against phishing schemes VAT which due to their size they led some steel mills in Poland, almost to the brink of bankruptcy. “The introduction of the reverse charge VAT on steel products effectively eliminated these pathologies. We stand for maintaining these solutions, “- stressed the President.
Another challenge for the hut is the prospect of a lack of qualified personnel. Today up to 42 percent. employed in the steel industry has more than 51 years. Representatives of the sector postulate urgent implementation of an appropriate system of financing training and adapt curricula to the needs of the market.
Among the hut, where they can accumulate affecting the steel industry risks, HIPH shows, for example. Employs more than 1.3 thousand. establishment of Celsa Huta Ostrowiec in Ostrowiec, who in recent years suffered from unscrupulous importers Phishing VAT refund on the rebar, and is currently affected by unfair imports from Belarus. Celsa is one of the key employers in the province. Świętokrzyskie and plants of the cooperating give work another few thousand employees.
“The threat activity Celsa Huta Ostrowiec resulting from external factors may translate into risks for the province. Świętokrzyskie, especially Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, where it is the largest employer and taxpayer, “- said during a recent conference on the problems of the mills and the entire steel sector in Poland.
In March, the Provincial Council of Social Dialogue in Kielce generated position on the problems of Celsa Huta Ostrowiec and steel industry in Poland, indicating the necessary actions to improve the situation of the plant.
As the risk areas “requiring urgent action” indicated the threat of hut outside the EU, mainly from Belarus and China, weakening international the competitive position of the steel industry in Poland, the structure of energy costs, the risks in the context of the planned introduction of the new ETS Directive, the risk of resurgence of crime and fiscal challenges in the field of employment policy.
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