National cement demand increased by 23 per cent in Jan-May, according to a report prepared by the branch association TCMB. Demand is estimated to have increased by a higher 25 per cent in June. To cover the increasing demand, cement production increased by 13 per cent while exports were cut down by 24 per cent and the cement companies are in talks to import cement. The cement sector is expected to grow by 25 per cent this year against the initial forecast of 6-8 per cent, the branch association said. Cement sales reached 35.5Mt last year increasing by 16 per cent y/y. According to the report, production capacity of the sector could reach 83.2Mt by 2010.