On December 22, 2023, Shandong Iron and Steel Association successfully held the second general liaison meeting at the Qilu Cultural and Creative Base, Shunfeng Road, Lixia District. During the meeting, the association actively communicated with member units and proposed practical solutions to existing problems. This move aims to promote win-win collaboration among members and support the sustainable and healthy development of the steel industry.

The steel industry is an important pillar of the national economy, but it faces many challenges and problems during its development. These problems include not only overcapacity, environmental protection issues, but also market competition pressure. Overcapacity has led to a decline in industry profits and increased pressure on enterprises to survive; environmental issues are a key factor related to the long-term development of the industry; market competition involves the lifeblood of enterprise survival and development. In order to deal with these problems, steel associations and enterprises need to work together to explore the path to sustainable development.

The Iron and Steel Association can promote cooperation among enterprises and achieve optimal allocation of resources. Through cooperation between enterprises, industry resources can be effectively integrated, production capacity layout optimized, and excess production capacity reduced. At the same time, enterprises can carry out technical exchanges and cooperation to jointly improve the technical level of the industry and provide technical support for the green development of the industry.

Mr. Wang of Shandong Boyu Group pointed out in his speech at the meeting that the current economic circulation channels of my country's industry are showing serious obstruction. This situation not only puts corporate operations under unprecedented pressure, but also further intensifies the intensity of market competition. Mr. Wang believes that this is an urgent problem that needs to be solved, otherwise it will affect the healthy development of the industry.

Increasing market competition is also a major challenge facing the current industry economy. In the context of blocked economic circulation, in order to compete for limited market share, companies have to increase marketing efforts, lower prices and other means. Although these measures can increase the company's market share in the short term, in the long term, excessive competition will lead to a decline in the overall efficiency of the industry and further aggravate market tensions.

In response to the problems raised by various enterprises, the association has analyzed and proposed solutions. First of all, strengthening technology research and development and promotion is the key to improving the competitiveness of the steel industry. Steel companies should increase investment in research and development, target cutting-edge technologies in the industry, and continuously improve the performance, quality and environmental protection of products. The Iron and Steel Association needs to play the role of bridge and link to assist enterprises in promoting advanced technologies and promote industrial upgrading and transformation.

The Iron and Steel Association also needs to strengthen cooperation with the government, industry organizations and other enterprises to jointly promote the sustainable development of the steel industry.