According to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper (November 11, 2004), a recently publicised study by the Egyptian Hermes Group foresees the demand for cement in Saudi Arabia to continue to grow until 2008. The study foresees a downward trend in the demand for cement in the Kingdom through the years 2008-2012. The study estimated the cement consumption in Saudi Arabia at 33Mt in 2008 compare with current 22Mt.