ABU DHABI, Jun 9th, 2013 (WAM)--The volume of UAE's foreign trade of cement stood at over $269 million during the first nine months of 2012, with a growth rate of 11 per cent, while the UAE exports of cement during 2011 stood at $325 million with a growth rate of 126 per cent compared to 2010, achieving a cement trade surplus of $307 million.
According to the Ministry of Economy's analytical study on the foreign trade of cement in the country, the study said that the cement industry in UAE has registered huge growth since the establishment of the first company in the country in 1972, Union Cement Company, noting that there were 20 factories engaged in the production, processing and packaging of cement, of which 12 factories produce Portland cement. The study, prepared by the economic adviser at the ministry Dr. Abdel Hamid Radwan, under the supervision of Dr. Mattar Al Ali, Director of Analysis at the ministry, concluded that the volume of the domestic consumption of cement is estimated at eight million tons annually, while the production capacity is 24 million tons, resulting in a surplus of production capacity in excess of domestic consumption by about 60 per cent. The surplus is directed to export sector to raise the operation efficiency of the local cement businesses and achieve break-even point.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
