Algeria's government has sought to develop the domestic cement industry by allocating USD 5.5 billion for the renovation of five public factories and the construction of four new facilities between 2013 and 2018, an official source told Zawya.
According to Mowlood Khalufi, president of the national association of Algerian contractors, the government is aiming to raise cement production capacity by 11 million tons per annum from the current 18 million tons to 29 million tons by 2018.
Construction of the four new facilitiesis expected to begin in the third quarter of 2013 in the areas of Galfa, Ghleizan,Umm-al-Bawagi and Bashar, Khalufi added. Contracts for the projects have been awarded to French company Lafarge, Egyptian firm ASEC Cement,Algerian Cement Company and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation.
The five plants that will be refurbished are located in Ain El Kabira in the northeastern province of Setif, Beni Saf in northwestern Ain Temouchent, Wad Sli in the state of Al Shalf, Zahana district in Mascara and Soor Al Ghizlan in the state of Al Bweira.
"Facilities undergoing rehabilitation and refurbishment by the government are expected to be completed by the end of this year while work on the remaining plants is expected to start during the second quarter of 2013. Handover of these facilities will take place beginning 2016 and until the end of 2018," said Khalufi.
The construction and renovation of these factories will also help fill the employment gap in the country, generating 18,000 jobs for Algerians over the course of five years.
Fares Masdoor, global economic expert and political science professor at the University of Algeria, said the new projects will not only contribute to alleviating domestic cement shortage, but will also transform the country from being a major importer to a potential exporter of cement. A surplus equivalent to eight million tons of cement is expected to be produced from these facilities.
In 2012, Algeria posted a hefty 98% increase in cement imports to 2.7 million tons compared with 1.36 million tons in 2011.
© Zawya 2013
