Will consider balance sheet as first priority, says Tata Steel's Chatterjee

As a principle, we are determined to ensure all businesses, including Indian and overseas subsidiaries, are free cash flow positive, says Chatterjee

Tata Steel is on the cusp of a change; it has initiated discussions with Sweden-based SSAB for acquisition of its Netherland business including Ijmuiden steelworks, and in India, it is reorganising its subsidiaries and joint ventures into four business verticals. In an interview, Koushik Chatterjee, executive director and chief financial officer, Tata Steel, tells Ishita Ayan Dutt about the key themes of the strategy. Edited excerpts:

What is the time-frame for completion of the due diligence and consultation for the sale of Tata Steel Netherlands, including Ijmuiden to SSAB?

We have initiated discussions with SSAB and stakeholders in the Netherlands,