Dominican Republic full-year sales seen rising 18% YoY

Cement sales in the Dominican Republic are forecast to see a double digit rise in 2014 to 3.6Mt, local association ADOCEM said on Friday. 

"Compared with the 3Mt consumed in 2013, this represents an increase of around 18 per cent this year," said ADOCEM president Carlos E Gonzalez told Dominican Today.

He said the positive results reflect the sector’s response to the Dominican Government’s efforts, especially through the school construction program nationwide and other ongoing infrastructure projects.

Mr Gonzalez also noted that falling prices have stimulated local demand due to surplus capacity. “…, "our installed capacity reaches nearly 7Mt, which means a surplus of close to 60 per cent capacity,” he said.

Upbeat outlook
On the outlook for the year ahead, Mr Gonzalez told the eDaily: "We in fact remain optimistic, and today we are in an excellent position to encourage and harness the tremendous potential we see for cement, and therefore throughout 2014 invested in promoting the many qualities and uses of our products, such as the possible incorporation of concrete as paving alternatives for roads and cement base for country roads."