September 26th, Monday

09:00 – 09:25                        Welcome address by Chairman of IREPAS

09:25 – 10:25                         SESSION ONE
- Global economic developments and expectations

Lutz Karpowitz, Commerzbank AG / Director of FX Strategy

• Where is the European economy heading?
• China’s new normal
• Prospects and challenges for the U.S. economy
• GCC economies in a low oil price environment

10:25 – 10:55                              Networking Break

10:55 – 12:30                      SESSION TWO – Critical changes expected in global long steel markets
- Long product market outlook

Kim Marti, Celsa Group / International Sales Director

• Overview of global construction sector
• Steel and long products consumption
• Rebar markets
• International price situation

- Focus on China: What we can expect next?

Li Xinchuang, China Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute (MPI) / President – China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) / Vice Secretary General

• Outlook for Chinese steel market – raw materials and long products
• Overcapacity and environmental pollution
• Will Chinese steel exports still increase despite trade cases?
• New normal for Chinese steel

Keynote Speaker:
Becky E. Hites, Steel-Insights / President

Developed World Empty Nest Syndrome: The “Chicks” (Developing World) Have Flown The Coop & Now Are Flooding The Market With Steel

• Declining global steel demand and continued substantial global steel overcapacity resulting in more market protection trade actions.
• Chinese “campaign promises” (5-year plan) of increased environmental protection and lower steel production can deliver swift results once implemented.
• Consolidation through M&A likely as steel producers maneuver to adjust to the new slower growth market reality.
• Continued expected infrastructure investment in the Developing Worlds is a favorable driver for long product production.
• Energy volatility to continue as new players are re-introduced on the supply side and historic power balances are in flux, somewhat a negative for steel demand to that industry.
• Semis product substitution for liquid steel production (and traditional raw materials use) also continuing to disrupt and impact mill production schedules.
• 2017 stacking up as a year of continued re-alignment both on the supply side, but also the demand side, rather than a return to predictability and solid profitability.

12:30 – 14:30        Networking Lunch

14:30 – 17:00        IREPAS Committee Meetings

• 14:30 – 17:00 Producers Committee (by invitation only)
• 14:30 – 17:00 Raw Material Suppliers Committee (by invitation only)
• 14:30 – 17:00 Traders Committee (open to all attendees)

20:00 – 23:00 Gala Dinner

September 27th, Tuesday

09:30 – 11:00             SESSION THREE – Panel with Committee Chairmen

• Producers Committee
• Raw Material Suppliers Committee
• Traders Committee