Mumbai: The government on Friday withdrew the export duty on flat steel products, increased the export duty on long steel products from 10 to 15 per cent and imposed an ad valorem duty on iron ore exports, in a move to increase steel availability in the country.

"Flat rolled products of iron and steel, including galvanised products, pipes and tubes that attracted export duty ranging from 5 to 15 per cent ad-valorem, have been fully exempted from export duty," the release said.

The duty changes would come into force with immediate effect, a government release said.

Steel prices in the country have risen by over 50 per cent over the past five months this year, raising inflation to a seven-year high of 8.75 per cent.

Iron ore will now attract a 15 per cent ad-valorem duty irrespective of iron ore content, the release said.

Currently, an export duty at a specific rate of Rs300 per tonne is imposed on iron ore lumps and fines with over 62 per cent iron content, and Rs50 per tonne on lower grade ore.

The duty changes have come in the wake of an inflationary spiral which touched a seven-year high of 8.75 per cent for the week ended May 31.

Steelmakers and iron ore producers have been at loggerheads over the export of iron ore. The mining industry says the ore that is being exported is of no use to domestic steel producers.