THE iron and steel spools as well as the long pipes appear to be chock-a-block at the Mega Baja shop, in Jalan Raya Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta. Customers-most of whom are construction foremen-come to exchange or examine the cheapest steel for fences. Already prepared, Agus, one of the shop assistants, pointed out imported products, the majority of which were made in China.

Even though the quality of imported steel products is lower than that of loc