It was reported that ISDEMIR Iron and Steel plant, Turkey concluded 8 contracts with companies from Luxemburg, Austria, China, UK and Switzerland for its revamping and product changing projects. The total contract value is as high as US $150 million. The projects consist of No.3 Blast Furnace, No 5 and 6 Coke Ovens and No 7 Lime Kiln etc. As the key state-owned iron and steel plant, ISDEMIR was recently taken over by ERDEMIR Iron and Steel company, the largest iron and steel complex in Turkey. The demand for steel plate is increased at 10% annually in Turkey. After upgrading and products change, a new plate producing line will be established. By then, ISDEMIR will be the second steel complex which can supply steel plate products in Turkey, following ERDEMIR Iron & Steel. The revamping project is expected to be completed in 2 years. Mr. GIYICI, president of ISDEMIR, said there are still many other revamping projects under planning, amounting to US$1.4 billion. All upgrade projects will be finished by 2009. By then, producing capacity will be largely improved, variety of products will be optimized. Furthermore, producing costs can be reduced while the environment protection can be better protected. Amongst the above-mentioned projects, SINOSTEEL MECC successfully got contracts to supply two sets of coke oven equipment with annual capacity of 650, 000 tons, two sets of 15000 cubic meter gas holder and 30 nos of billet wagons. The total contract value is over US$ 48 million. It is the largest export contract to Turkey from Chinese metallurgical industry. To be a supplier among the world famous suppliers in iron and steel manufacturing field for ISDEMIR projects shows that SINOSTEEL MECC possesses the capability to compete in the international market thanks to its advanced technologies and excellent services. (source of news: website of Economy and Commercial Department, Chinese General Consulate in Istanbul)