Bolivian first-half sales rise 10.62 per cent

In the first half of this year, Bolivian sales  increased by 10.62 per cent compared to the same period of 2011 and manufacturers expect demand will continue to rise.

According to the Bolivian Institute of Cement and Concrete (IBCH), in the first six months of 2012 1,271,069t of domestic cement were sold and 52,382t  imported, totaling 1.3Mt. In the same period in 2011, 1,196,312t of domestic and imported were sold, which means an increase of 10.62%.

Cement consumptionin the department of Santa Cruz saw the highest level of cement consumption followd by La Paz Cochabamba

The president of the Bolivian Chamber of Construction (Caboco), Christian Edward, said one of the main factors of sustained growth in demand is due to "a very marked housing shortage from 2000 that continued until 2008, which generated a large market for the development of construction. "

IBCH General Manager Marcelo Alfaro said that since 2002 there was "significant growth in property investment, so there is a steady increase in demand for construction of houses and apartments."

On 25 July the Minister for Development Planning, Viviana Caro Hinojosa reported that the first quarter of this year the Bolivian economy grew by 5.16%, driven primarily by the manufacturing, construction, oil, transport and financial services.