China Minmetals Corporation, the country's state-owned metals trading giant, has reported a record revenue of US$17.8 billion for 2005, according to its senior official.

Its revenue increased by more than 18 percent year-on-year, Zhou Zhongshu, president of the company, said yesterday.

He declined to disclose the company's profit, but said it also recorded a new high last year.

The outstanding performance was largely due to the growth of its major businesses, in the trade, steel and raw materials sectors.

Major businesses now account for 94.6 percent of the company's total revenue.

Minmetals is adjusting its strategy to move from a simple trading company to one also involved in the manufacturing sector.

The company has strived to establish a sales network across China, Zhou said.

He explained that contact with end-users helped to enhance the utilization of resources and add more value to the firm's products.

This strategy also helped the company counteract the negative affects in the steel sector resulting from China's attempts to control the industry.

Since the government policy was announced, the company has reduced its purchase and sales of steel.

Minmetals was also an early supporter of the country's "go-out" campaign.

In 2005, the company established a joint venture, involved in copper producing, with Chilean Codelco, the world's largest copper producer.

It also signed agreements to develop resources with Jamaica and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The group has diversified its business into a number of industries, including shipping, transportation and finance.

"After a rapid growth in the past few years, we are standing at a high level," said Zhou.

He expected Minmetals would develop into a leading metal and mine producer and trader across the world.

(China Daily January 19, 2006)