TOKYO, Oct. 4 – The Ukrainian metals and mining sector has serious problems due to its excessive metal exporting, reaching 75% of output, according to Ian Christmas, director general of the World Steel Association (WSA, formerly the International Iron and Steel Institute or IISI).

"The largest steel producers in the CIS are Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. There is a large difference with what is seen in Russia: half of the products made in the country are exported. The future rise in steel production in Russia depends on growth in steel product consumption on the domestic market, and the country's exports would fall," he told Interfax-Ukraine at the 44th annual WSA conference held in Tokyo on October 4-6.

Christmas said that Ukraine needs to develop its domestic market.