Bahrain is to import 31,000t of cement from Turkey and the UAE, it was announced yesterday. This is the first in a series of shipments aimed at easing the shortage which has crippled the construction sector, following export restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia.

The move to break the crisis was announced at the weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

It is the culmination of efforts by Industry and Commerce Ministry and businessmen to contain the crisis.

Negotiations are also under way to import cement from Thailand.

The Works Ministry and Seaports Authority have also been instructed to construct silos to stock cement imported by sea. Traders were also given the green light to import cement sacks and build stocks at both Mina Salman and the Shaikh Khalifa Port.

A company specialising in importing and building strategic stocks of construction materials will also be set up.

The Housing Bank has been instructed to co-ordinate the project with Bahrain Holding Company - Mumtalakat - and the private sector.