KIEV, Oct. 19 - Ukraine’s domestic consumption of rolled steel is expected to grow by 26% year-on-year to 11 million metric tons in 2007, up from about 8.8 million tons consumed in 2006, an industrial policy ministry official said Friday.

The country’s growing economy, led by booming construction and industrial modernization, spurs domestic demand for steel, allowing the country’s steelmaker to supply more steel to domestic consumers.

Ukraine’s economy expanded 7.3% year-on-year in January-September, according to the State Statistics Committee.