The Ministry of Construction predicted Vietnam will import between 1.9-2Mt of clinker this year, up about 40 per cent from a year earlier.

The nation bought 1.8Mt of clinker in the first ten months, including 50,000t in October, the ministry was cited by the state-run Vietnam News Agency as saying Tuesday.

In an effort to limit the import of clinker, the ministry issued Decree 01/2010/TT-BXD to stipulate quality management of commercial clinker.

The MoC forecast Vietnam will face a cement surplus of at least two million tons this year due to the boom of new cement plants nationwide while its cement export plans are facing difficulties.

The country’s cement consumption is estimated at 49.5-50Mt in 2010 and between 54.5-56Mt in 2011.