ArcelorMittal shared data to ‘protect SA’
The steel firm tells the Competition Tribunal it shared data with Highveld Steel to avoid foreign sanctions
ArcelorMittal SA says the Department of Trade and Industry encouraged it to share information with Highveld Steel in order to protect SA’s steel exports to the US, EU and Canada during the 10 years to 2009. At the recent Competition Tribunal hearing, ArcelorMittal acknowledged there had been an exchange of information with Highveld Steel but argued this was not a contravention of the Competition Act. Garth Strachan, deputy director-general at the department, said on Wednesday any inference that his department had encouraged collusion was regrettable. He accepted that the department did encourage companies in any sector to work through industry associations and export councils to maximise exports. "Where there might be competition issues, we assist those companies in engaging with the competition authorities. It is a difficult balance but it has to be struck," Strachan said. As part of its record settlement with the competition authorities, ArcelorMittal has undertaken to be " transp...
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