Despite a stagnant real estate market, Vietnam is expected to consume 28.9Mt of cement this year, an increase of 9.5 per cent over last year’s figure, according to the Vietnam Cement Corporation (VNCC). The VNCC and other cement makers have taken steps to stabilise the local cement market despite the world price hike this year.
Prices on imported clinker have increased but, cement still sells at VND7.2 million (US$45.3) and VND7.6 million per tonne in the north, and from VND8.4 million to VND9.4 million per tonne in the south.
VNCC, in co-operation with the Ministry of Construction and other local cement producers, is building a development strategy for 2006 in order to better satisfy market demand.