The customs directorate-general traces the smuggling of steel coils by three companies. The estimated state loss reaches hundreds of billions.

Steel imported allegedly for the long-completed government projects is harming the local steel industry.

The government sets out to release new antidumping policies and national standards for steel products, in response to local industries' complaints against the onslaught of imported goods.

The letter of exemption from the trade ministry, owned by a number of steel importers, raised suspicions. Looking into several old government projects, the letter is suspected to have been used as cover-up allowing dozens of containers of steel to be imported without verification.