CVRD opened its Middle East office in Oman on 15 December and has appointed the company’s former director of ferrous metals, Sergio Leite as Oman country manager.

The company’s facility will be the second iron and steel project in Sohar.

Oman’s Shadeed Iron & Steel Company will start production at its 1.5 million tonne a year steel plant in August 2008.

The Gulf states have increased their demand for steel because of the construction boom, which includes a number of major infrastructure projects and industrial developments.

Local steelmakers have created greater demand for feedstock by increasing their production.