Alkavex, the steel trading business majority-owned by Alkagesta, has carried out business development visits in the Chinese cities of Tangshan and Tianjin, according to a company update published by Alkagesta. The programme brought the venture into contact with steel producers, traders, processors and industry representatives as it continued to develop its commercial activities in China.
Bayram Bayramli, China Business Developer at Alkagesta, led the meetings. Alkagesta said the engagements offered direct insight into manufacturers’ production capabilities, the infrastructure supporting their supply chains and opportunities for international trade. The update described a programme covering several parts of the steel industry, rather than visits limited to producers, with processing businesses and industry associations also involved in the discussions.
Alkagesta characterised Tangshan and Tianjin as one of China’s principal corridors for steel production and exports. It said the visits strengthened relationships supporting Alkavex’s sourcing and trading operations in the region. The account focused on commercial engagement and understanding local supply capabilities; it did not identify the companies visited or provide details of any supply agreements, purchase volumes or shipment arrangements resulting from the meetings.
Based in Malta, Alkavex is a joint venture between Alkagesta and French steel trading company Navex SAS, with Alkagesta holding the majority interest. Its initial business focus is on semi-finished and finished steel products, sourced mainly from China. That sourcing base connects the venture’s Chinese commercial development with its stated customer markets in West and East Africa.
According to Alkagesta, Alkavex combines market knowledge with logistics capabilities and trade finance to serve those African customers. The company links that offering to growing regional demand from construction, manufacturing and infrastructure development. The Chinese visits therefore sit within its existing steel sourcing strategy, rather than a newly announced product or market expansion.