Saudi Arabia?s production of steel slumped by 200,000 tons to 800,000 tons from one million tons as manufacturers call for restrictions on steel exports to be eased. Factories hold about 800,000 tons of steel surplus while traders have 400,000 tons, bringing the total available steel in the Kingdom to 1.2m tons, says the chairman of the National Committee for steel Industry at the Council of Saudi Chambers, Shuail Al Ayed. In remarks published by Al Eqtisadiah, Al Ayed said that manufacturers will **t be able to increase output as long as steel exports are **t allowed.