The Borneo-based Sarawak Economic Development Corp (SEDC) and the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) are planning to create a joint venture to import cement from Thailand to address the supply shortage in the state of Sarawak. According to the Borneo Post Online, imports could total 0.5-1Mt from 2023. SEDC and BDA visited Siam Cement Group (SCG) in Bangkok recently to discuss the proposal.
Due to the shortage of cement in Sarawak, cement prices in the state are 15 per cent higher than in peninsular Malaysia and four per cent higher than in Sabah. The lack of supply coupled with the higher prices have had a knock-on effect on the construction sector, delaying major development projects in Sarawak.
