Abu Dhabi's Emirates Steel Industries (ESI) saw its sales volume increase by 30 per cent during the first half, compared to the same period last year, a company statement said.

The firm also increased its output by 45.4 per cent during the first half of this year, the statement added.

"This is a significant increase considering the downturn in local and regional markets," said Carl Andersson, senior vice president in operations at ESI.

ESI sells around 80 per cent of its products to the local market, while the rest is exported to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, India, China, the Far East and Pakistan, the statement said.-Reuters