Demand for cement in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase by more than 9.4 per cent a year to more than 73 million tonnes by 2017, according to a report by CW Group
An increase in large-scale infrastructure projects is believed to be behind the surge in demand, the market research company said.
In 2005, cement demand in Saudi Arabia was less than 23 million tonnes. Since then, the market has seen double-digit growth, taking it to 48 million tonnes in 2012.
The country?s ninth development plan 2010?2014 includes provisions for massive governmental investments, driving construction?s share of GDP to an estimated 5.9 per cent by the end of 2014.
?We expect more projects to be announced together with expansion of existing projects,? said the CW Group.
Yamama Cement and Eastern Province Cement have also announced projects, each planning to add 3.2 million tonnes per year, the firm added.
