Algeria: cement imports to end by 2017

According to the Minister of Industry and Mining, Abdessalem Bouchouareb, 2017 will mark the end of cement imports to Algeria: "The year 2017 will mark the end of cement import in Algeria, with the commissioning of all cement plants across the country, whose total annual production capacity is expected to reach 6Mta.” Mr Bouchouareb made the statement during an inspection of a cement plant project in the commune of Timegtane, in the sub-prefecture of Aoulef, 260km east of Adrar.

The site that Mr Bouchouareb visited is nearly 90 per cent complete and due to be commissioned by the end of the year. The minister noted that projects such as these will allow Algeria to reach a level of self-sufficiency in cement whilst also creating opportunities to begin exporting.