The cement industry in the GCC region is the second largest after the oil and gas sector, yet there are no indigenous standards and specifications to ensure the product is of high quality and this mars export initiatives.

The region is most suitable for manufacturing cement and raw materials are also available in abundance, but the countries here largely depend on imports.

This was disclosed by speakers at a symposium here yesterday where cement manufacturers and officials of standards and metrology organisations from the region gathered to discuss the setting up of a common standards and metrological body.