India’s steel ministry will expedite Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) clearances for Taiwanese integrated steel plants to help micro, small and medium enterprises secure intermediate steel under a June 13 Quality Control Order requiring BIS certification for imported inputs. Officials said the move aims to maintain availability of grades not made domestically, enabling MSME importers to add value and support exports. Taiwan is among India’s top sources of semi‑finished and intermediate steel. The step follows recent exemptions granted to 202 foreign licences from 17 countries to mitigate delays tied to certification, and comes amid tighter global trade conditions and domestic measures to balance quality control with industrial demand. The ministry is working to accelerate approvals after MSME importers flagged QCO‑related delays; the policy focus remains on avoiding supply disruptions to downstream sectors such as automotive and engineering while upholding standards.