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Gilbert Pigeot
<B>Managing director of Scrap Supplies</B>
You are setting up an association with two other companies. Why now?</B>
The association will unite the three official companies working under strict norms: Scrap Supplies, Steel Scrap Ltd and Renghen & Co. We felt we had to create this association as a response to all the problems we have been facing over the last months concerning Samlo’s efforts to try and make the government ban exports of scrap steel as well as the scourge of thefts of metal products. We should be ready by the end of the week.
If Samlo proposed to pay the right price for your scrap steel, would you sell your whole production?</B>
If Samlo were prepared to pay cash the same price as the one applied to exports – minus the freight – we would be ready to sell all our scrap steel to it. But it has never tried to contact us directly to see what can be done. We have been hearing its requests only through the press. When it first said that it wanted us to sell our scrap steel to the STC, we went to see the minister. Then, the issue was left dormant for one year and here it comes again – more forcefully – with its request. We have already said we are ready to sell them 20% of our production but we have not had any response so far.
Can you explain why an issue that remained dormant for a year has suddenly come up again?</B>
I suppose they are using the problem of Desbro to forward their request. I have seen in the press that Samlo would not need any price increase – as requested by Desbro – if exports were banned. Samlo is reported to have said that it could supply the whole market with iron bars if our companies supplied him and were no longer allowed to export. If the government decided to ban exports to protect the local market, then it would also have to ban the import of finished goods…
You have met the minister of Trade. What was the outcome of this meeting?</B>
We indeed met minister Jeetah on 6th November. We wanted to try and see how we could control both the problem of exports and that of theft. He promised to organise a meeting with several stakeholders including the ministries of Local government, Environment, and Trade as well as the police and customs departments. But since then, we have not heard anything from him.
Do you think there is a solution that would satisfy everyone?</B>
If there were a stricter control to prevent illegal exporters from collecting scrap and exporting it, then the situation would be better for everyone. A few years ago, my company was producing 20,000 tons of scrap steel; today the three companies together are producing 4,000 tons. This is due to a number of foreign businessmen who come to Mauritius and take metal to their countries. If this was controlled, our production would increase and Samlo would definitely be able to take advantage of this situation as we could cover all their needs.
What about the thefts of metal objects? Is there any solution?</B>
Once again, if the government decided to put every operator on a level playing field concerning control, then we would not have any problem. Our company constantly controls the goods and nothing goes out without an inspection certificate. If the government sets up a committee with all stakeholders, then I am sure it will find a solution very rapidly.
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