Title: Import dependence and export competitiveness of Indian steel sector: a comparison with China

Authors: Beena Saraswathy

Addresses: Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, New Delhi, 110 070, India

Abstract: This study examines the import dependence and export competitiveness in the Indian steel sector using normalised trade balance (NTB), import penetration (IP), revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and constant market share (CMS) analysis. The study observed that the NTB is negative for several products. The IP increased in the second period of analysis (2018), indicating increased import dependence to meet domestic demand. Export orientation is not substantial during the same period, indicating a loss of domestic firms' competitiveness. Import restrictions are coming down, which increase competition. RCA indicates, export competitiveness for value-added products are less compared to China. For China, products with high export share is having better RCA than that for India. CMS decomposition analysis found that much of the export growth is occurring due to the matching world growth effects, and not due to the competitiveness effect. Nevertheless, many steel products India benefitted from the commodity effects, as its demand increased globally.

Keywords: regulations and industrial policy; sectoral planning methods; industry studies; manufacturing; metal and metal products.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTGM.2025.148050

International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, 2025 Vol.21 No.3, pp.245 - 269

Received: 04 Oct 2024
Accepted: 04 Feb 2025
Published online: 15 Aug 2025 *

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