Cement demand in Vietnam this year is estimated at 28.4Mt, 2.6Mt higher than in 2004. According to the Ministry of Construction, more than US$1.4 billion will be needed to develop the cement projects under its management this year. The funds will be prioritized for expanding existing cement plants and building new projects. On the list are the Hoang Thach, Bim Son, Binh Phuoc, But Son, Ha Tien 2-2, Cam Pha, Thang Long and Ha Long cement plants. Work on Haiphong and Song Gianh cement projects will be accelerated so that they can be commissioned late this year. Meanwhile, Vietnam Cement Corporation (VCC) estimates that cement demand in 2005 will be 29.1Mt, more than 3Mt higher than last year. Meanwhile, supply will be 22.6Mt, leaving 6.5Mt short. Published under Cement News