Thailand-based producer Asia Cement said it expects a pick-up in demand from late this year and into 2015 due to the government’s stimulus package and the launch of infrastructure projects.

The Italcementi-group company forecasts Thai consumption for full-year 2014 to be on a par with last year’s figure of 34Mt. A five per cent increase is projected for next year.

Managing director of Asia Cement, Roberto Callieri, told the Bangkok Post that while Asia Cement had faced challenging times since the political situation in Thailand flared up, it was looking forward to seeing the stimulus package boost the economy and cement demand.

The company has a capacity of 7Mta with most of its cement sold locally, while the remainder is exported to neighbouring countries, mainly Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.