On March 6, Chinese steel giant Baosteel Group stated that its Xinjiang-based subsidiary Bayi Iron and Steel Co. (Bayi Steel) actively focused on the Central Asian market amid sluggish domestic market conditions last year. In 2013, Bayi Steel exported over 90,000 mt of finished steel through Alashankou in Xinjiang, recording a substantial rise year on year. Alashankou is China's busiest land port-of-entry.

Since Central Asia countries have experienced rapid economic development over recent years, their demand for medium plates, galvanized plates, color coated plates, sections, tubes and pipes and special steel has indicated a significant increase, with imports being required to replenish supplies, creating a good opportunity for Bayi Steel to increase its exports to Central Asia.