DOHA: Demand for cement in the local market has plunged 40 percent during Ramadan which has prompted cement companies to start maintenance work.
Mohamed Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Qatar National Cement Company, said the company has utilised this as an opportunity to conduct maintenance of equipment in its factory.
Maintenance work will enable the company to meet the busy season starting from mid-August when demand will increase.
The company is setting up a new factory which is expected to start production in 2016.
The new factory, which is fifth, is being set up in Umm Bab to help the company meet demand of the construction sector.
Al Sulaiti said the capacity of the factory will be 5,000 tonnes of clinkers and 5,500 tonnes of cement.
A French company, FCB, has been given contract for setting up the factory. The factory will help increase cement production to 20,000 tonnes and 17,000 tonnes of clinkers daily.
It will also help coordinate in operations, maintenance and improvement in support services.
Al Sulaiti told Al Sharq that the company is producing 10,000 tonnes of cement to meet demand.
Demand normally peaks by the end of the year and production reaches 20,000 tonnes per day.
He said cement companies in Qatar have capacity to meet entire demand.
He said despite rise in diesel prices, the company has managed to maintain cement prices.
The Peninsula
