The number of cement plants in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries stood at 32 at the end of 2004, according to a report of the Qatar-based Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC).  The total investments in the plants amount to $5.8bn and their workforce totals 13,000 employees. 
 
According to the report, the plants’ total annual output currently stands at 42.7Mt, and the figure is expected to reach 50Mt over the next few years. The plants produced 42Mt in 2004, up from 38Mt in 2003.  The GCC cement consumption was estimated at 39.8Mt in 2004 and is forecast to rise steadily over the next three years as a result of the construction boom in the six countries.