The Qatar Ministry of Economy and Commerce is likely to take steps to control the retail prices of cement, steel and gravel which are said to be in short supply in the local market due to a boom-led demand. Currently, studies are being conducted on supply and demand of these key building industry materials, according to Al Sharq.  The daily quoted unnamed sources in the ministry as saying that the studies being carried out are for the purpose of determining if these materials are available in the market at normal prices or not.  The scope of study understandably covers possibilities of some retailers indulging in hoarding or over-pricing the materials.  The objective of the ministry’s plans to control the pricing of cement, steel and gravel is to stabilise their supplies and pre-empt possibilities of hoarding and profiteering.