Africa & The Middle East

Lhoist and Suhail Bahwan Group have formed a joint venture to develop limestone and dolomite reserves in Oman.

SAK Commodities has confirmed its first support contract with Iraq's Ministry of Trade. Excerpts from the company’s statement about the contract follow here.

Egypt is looking to start an international bidding process to grant cement licences by mid-year.

Continental Coal Ltd has appointed Trollope Mining Services (TMS) for the development of its Vlarkvarkfontein mine in South Africa. Production is expected to commence in about two weeks time.

Aamal Company is diversifying into new high growth revenue streams.

A new tower dominates the Dubai skyline, the GCC opts to create its own petro-currency and the UAE orders its first nuclear reactors.

Fortress Group has embarked on shipping 100 000 t of cement to Cameroon, with the last of eight vessels heading for Cameroon in late December 2009.

Saudi Arabia has reintroduced customs duties to address an oversupply of cement and steel.

News of licences in Egypt, progress in Ghana, expansion in Ethiopia and contracts in Kenya.

Before the start of COP15, the South African Presidency issued a statement declaring its commitment to achieving a successful outcome in Copenhagen. It outlined the country’s emissions targets and emphasised the need for financial and technological aid for developing countries.

According to reports, the Algerian government is planning to consolidate its state-owned cement plants to form a company that will challenge Lafarge for a greater share of the Algerian market.

The world has witnessed rapid financial and economical changes over the last months, causing extreme changes and uncertainty in many fields. The cement market has always been dynamic, requiring updated studies to follow the rapid fluctuations. The GCC countries are going through the ‘after the boom’ scenario.

The Egyptian cement industry has more than weathered the financial storm. Demand has remained high, exports have been banned, and new production capacities are both under implementation and planned.

The financial crisis has hampered growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is dependent on exports of its primary commodities as well as aid inflows and foreign direct investment. Trade balances are shrinking and capital inflows are declining. However, when the global economy is revived, the region’s growth momentum will return.

Cement and sand imported to Bahrain from Saudi Arabia will henceforth be shipped rather than transported by truck across the King Fahd Causeway, according to reports. This will help to ease traffic congestion and improve delivery times.