Japan's Sumitomo is considering buying stake in Bhushan Steel's upcoming plant in West Bengal for about Rs 20,000 crore. It is exploring the possibility of buying a stake in the range of 25-40% in Bhushan Steel's West Bengal project as it offers a great opportunity to invest in the Indian steel market.
The West Bengal project, with a capacity of 6 mtpa, will be developed in two phases of 3 mtpa each. Japan's third-largest steel maker also signed a marketing agreement with Bhushan Steel's Orrisa plant that will commission 2.2 mtpa by next month and increase capacity to 5 mtpa by October 2012.
Under the pact, Sumitomo will buy steel from the Indian firm and sell under its brand name to Japanese car makers operating in India, such as Honda, Toyota, and Suzuki. The Japanese firm will also share its technology with its Indian partner.
The marketing pact with a Japanese firm that has superior technology is also important for Bhushan Steel as there is a threat from the Chinese companies selling better steel products at cheaper rates. China poses a threat to the Indian steel market.
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