The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will step up export controls by placing all products under its jurisdiction, in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, ministry officials said Sunday.

General products such as steel plates, cement, power generators and general electronics components exporters will require authorization for export from the minister, if there is a possibility they could be used in the production of missiles or weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear arms, according to the officials.

After gaining Cabinet approval, the ministry is hoping to put into effect next year the expanded so-called catch-all regime, which has already been employed by major industrial nations.