Stainless steel manufacturers in India have come on a common platform to chalkout fresh strategies and to press the government to dole out incentives to compete in a world market. The steel manufacturers united under an umbrella organisation Indian Stainless Development Organisation (ISDO) will be organising for the first time in the country a four-day stainless steel fair “Indinox 2010” from 16-19 January in Ahmedabad. The steel fair, having about 800 domestic and 50 international exhibitors, will be inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on 16 January, while Union Minister for Steel Virbhadra Singh will inaugurate the international conference on steel and the Indinox award ceremony the next day. ISDO President Rajendra Shah said emphasis was being given to increase consumption of stainless steel in different applications. Use of stainless steel in railway is bound to increase with the move to manufacture wagons using stainless steel instead of corrosive mild steel. Similarly, the government has given approval for manufacturing LPG stoves with stainless steel. ISDO Vice President Hitendra Bhalaria said annual consumption of stainless steel in the country was about 24 lakh tonnes per year against production of mere 19 lakh tonnes. Trade delegations from China, Japan, US, UK, Bangladesh, Pakistani, Sri Lanka and few neighbouring countries were expected to attend the international conference, he added.
