Bahrain has requested the Saudi government to temporarily ease its cement export restrictions, in an attempt to end a crippling shortage. Sources confirmed high-level talks were taking place on the issue, in the hope of solving the crisis facing the construction industry.

Saudi Arabia presently restricts cement exports to Bahrain to 25,000t a week and officials want the limit scrapped or increased, said sources.

The news comes after it was revealed cement and other goods trucks are facing 24-hour delays at the border on the Saudi side of the King Fahad Causeway.

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) board member Abdul Hakeem Al Shummari also warned the crisis was damaging trade with Bahrain and other neighbouring countries.

"Because of the quota system in the last two weeks we have used up all the supplies by Tuesday and there is nothing until it resumes again on Saturday," the sources told the GDN.