Cement consumption in Kazakhstan grew 26.6 per cent in the first half of the year from the same period last year to reach 2.06Mt, a source at Vostok-Cement told Interfax.  The rise was underlined by a government housing construction program running from 2005-2007 and an increase in private home construction. 
 
Vostok-Cement reportedly controlled more than 26.5 per cent of the cement market in the first half. The company shipped more than 484,000t of cement in the first half, including 160,000t of high grade and special cement, up 58 per cent.  Kazakhstan has five cement plants; Central Asia Cement in Karaganda region, Shymkentcement in southern Kazakhstan, Semeicement, Vostok-Cement (both in eastern Kazakhstan), and Sas-Tyubinsky Cement Plant.