Republic Cement Service's president forecasts 8% cement growth

Nabil Francis, president of Republic Cement Services Inc, believes that the cement industry in the Philippines can achieve a growth in cement demand of eight per cent this year. The main reason for the increased demand is coming from infrastructure projects, which are expected to grow at 13 per cent.

"We are starting to feel the effect of the 'Build, Build, Build programme'...we are starting to feel the pulse of the market beating," said Nabil Francis.

Currently, the residential segment accounts for 50 per cent of cement demand with 20 per cent coming from non-residential and the remaining 30 per cent from infrastructure. The residential segment has been steady at five per cent growth.

Republic Cement is expanding its cement capacity by 2Mta which is scheduled to come on-stream at the end of 2019.