سازمــان توسعـه و نوســـازی
معادن و صنایع معدنی ایران

Importance of Steel in Development of Societies

Steelmaking is considered a parent and basic industry which could ensure sustainable and widespread employment. This industry, in addition to direct employment generates indirect employment of up to five times of the direct employment.

The industry, in addition to industrialization of Western countries and the former East bloc, has played a pivotal role in the development of East Asian countries as well. In the meantime, countries devoid of natural resources and the required raw materials for creation of Steel industry have taken measures to launch the industry in their country. For example, Japan after the World War II, based its development on iron and Steel and at present, chemical and heavy industries rely on Steel industry.

South Korea, like Japan, without having the raw materials and energy resources and even a proper market has turned to this industry for its development. The annual production of about 800 million tons of Steel by China and economic growth of that country even under the critical global economic conditions, are examples of the pivotal role of the Steel industry in industrial development.

With regard to these evidences, industrial policies of the developed countries, particularly the role of industrial policies of Japan, East Asia and China, are considered new lessons for development. Among the most important points of interest in the development experience of countries in East Asia is that in these countries both the role of the development-oriented government and developmental organizations and the role of free economy and the private sector is significant.
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