Experts Upbeat about Domestic Demand for CopperThose who are attending the annual international copper industry summit here predicted that China's demand for copper will see a steady rise.Statistics show that China is playing an increasingly important role in the world's copper industry with its copper output ranking sixth in the world in 2000. The growth rate of copper consumption in China over the past decade is 2.4 times that of the world average. Zhao Cuiqing, an official with the China Non-ferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA), forecast that the domestic demand for refined copper during 2001 and 2010 will increase at a rate of 3 percent, and the demand for finished copper, 3.4 percent. In addition to the country's increasing investment in infrastructure projects, there will be more demand for different quality copper products. The summit opened Wednesday with more than 250 attendants, representing the industry, from 30 countries. The three-day meeting is jointly hosted by the International Copper Industry Association and China Non-ferrous Metals Industry Association. |
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