Taiwan Cement: cautiously optimistic on second-half prospects

The implementation of various infrastructure projects in Taiwan is expected to help improved market conditions in the second half of this year, the head of the country's leading producer has said.

Chairman of Taiwan Cement Corp, Koo Cheng-yun, said during a recent shareholders' meeting that he is cautiously optimistic on the industry’s second half outlook due to various factors. “Taiwan industries will walk out of the shadow of the European debt crisis, and public infrastructure projects are set to increase,” he said.

“These projects include tunnel upgrade work on Suhua Expressway, the expansion of warehousing facilities in Kaohsiung Harbor, and expansion of the Linkou power generation plant,” he added.

“An increase in construction licenses issued by the Ministry of the Interior will also help drive demand and sales in the cement industry,” he noted.

Last year, the company's revenue stood at NT$24.1bn. Net profit reached NT$8.61983bn, representing a rise of 7.33 per cent from 2012.

In terms of Taiwan Cement's acitivites in China, last year capacity exceeded 60Mta. Going forward the group says it aims to retain its status as the southwestern region’s largest producer by expanding capacity and undertaking mergers and acquisitions. The company’s goal is to raise capacity to 100Mt by 2016, Mr Cheng-yun stated.  (Source: China Post)