Oman may import cement?

There has been an appreciable increase in the cement prices in the past few months say local reports. To meet the growing demand, the Sultanate could resort to importing cement, a source told Al Shabiba Arabic daily yesterday. 

The actual demand for cement may be about 10,000tpd, said an official at Oman Cement Factory. The productivity at the Raysut Cement Company may reach 8,000tpd effective this month, the source also added. 

The demand for cement over the half year stood at 1,521,000t at the end of June, an increase of 25 per cent over the same period in 2006. This increase in demand will continue in the coming months. 

The year to date, the sale of cement from Oman Cement Factory till August 5 amounted to 1,171,000t with a daily sale of 6,300t, said Jamal bin Shamis Al Hooti, CEO of Oman Cement Factory.