Saudi Arabia Import Rush

 

In view of Saudi Arabia's increased infrastructure spending, local cement supply in the country continues to be insufficient to meet market demand. Fear of a cement shortage that could paralyze the construction sector has prompted the government to step up and ban exports while demanding impressive amounts of cement and clinker to be imported.

 

Under Saudi Arabia's Ninth Five-Year Development Plan, the government plans to allocate US$ 385 million to improve critical sectors and transform the country into a knowledge based economy. Government investments target sectors such as human resources, social and healthcare benefits, development of economic resources, setting up transportation and communication infrastructure, the development of municipal services and building of new housing projects.

Between 2010 and 2014, the Saudi government plans it big, allotting considerable financial resources for the construction and development of research centers, university innovation centers, hospitals, healthcare facilities, water desalination plants, airports, railways, ports and affordable housing.

Read the rest of the feature article in CemWeek Magazine Issue 16.