Cement News tagged under: infrastructure

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India: cement producers target government road projects

20 October 2014, Published under Cement News

High-ranking representatives of 17 cement manufacturers promised road transport minister, Nitin Gadkari, that their companies would put in lower bids to encourage development projects, according to the Times of India Group. The ministry has now invited bids asking manufacturers to quote the lowest price ex-factory price that they can offer to road developers. Soon after taking charge of the ministry, Gadkari had proposed long-term contracts with cement majors across the country to purchase...

Tasek 2Q revenue lifted by domestic cement sales

07 August 2014, Published under Cement News

Tasek Corp Bhd reported a 20.78 per cent rise in revenue for the second quarter, driven by higher demand for cement in its domestic market of Malaysia. Revenue for the three months to the end of June 2014 reached MYR171.5m, compared with MYR142m a year earlier. The company said that the higher revenue was mainly due to higher domestic demand, while its concrete unit recorded an operating loss due to lower sales volumes which were partly offset by higher average selling prices. "Sales v...

SGC second-quarter declines on weaker demand

31 July 2014, Published under Cement News

Siam Cement Group (SCG) reported a 14 per cent decline in second-quarter net profit due in part to weaker domestic cement demand as months of political unrest have delayed spending on infrastructure projects. Profit for the three months to the end of June fell to THB8.53bn, which was also impacted by lower chemical earnings. SCG chief executive, Kan Trakulhoon, said Thai cement demand is expected to increase by zero to one per cent due to a drop in construction activity and a lack of n...

Philippine cement sales growth continues

24 July 2014, Published under Cement News

Cement sales in the Philippines rose 3.2 per cent in the second quarter of this year, underpinned by public works projects and private sector construction activity. Latest figures from the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) show that member-companies sold 5.52Mt in the three months to the end of June 2013 compared to 5.349Mt in the same period of last year. First half sales rose six per cent to 10.718Mt versus 10.136Mt in 1H13. CemMAP president Ernesto Ordo...

Improving demand outlook for SCC, Thailand

15 July 2014, Published under Cement News

Despite demand for cement and building materials yet to show signs of recovery in Thailand, consumption is expected to improve, particularly from next year, according to a recent report. Analysts at TISCO Securities believe the economic policy of the new government will help boost domestic consumption and raise public investments, which will turn to demand for basic materials, e.g. cement, building materials, paper & packaging and plastics, all of which are SCC's products. However, the de...

Housebuilding boosts UK construction growth

04 July 2014, Published under Cement News

UK construction has grown at its fastest annual pace in four months during June 2014 led by an increase in housebuilding, a survey has suggested. The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the sector rose to 62.6 in June from 60.0 in May, its highest level since February and well above the forecast for a fall to 59.5. The reading beat analysts' forecasts for a fall to 59.5. A measure above 50 indicates growth in the sector. "(This) represents a remarkable yardstick of prog...

RAM Ratings reaffirms Lafarge Malaysia rating

27 June 2014, Published under Cement News

RAM Ratings has reaffirmed the AA2/Stable/P1 ratings of Lafarge Malaysia Berhad's MYR350m (US$109m) Islamic Securities Programme (2010/2017). The ratings are premised on Lafarge Malaysia's strong business and financial profiles despite the entry of a new player, rising costs and pricing pressure. "Lafarge Malaysia delivered a positive performance in FY December 2013. Its revenue and pre-tax profit rose by four per cent and 10 per cent YoY respectively. Lafarge Malaysia's financial profile ...

PCA commends Corker-Murphy plan – estimates US$210bn additional for infrastructure investment

25 June 2014, Published under Cement News

Last week, Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) announced a plan calling for an increase in federal petrol and diesel taxes to shore up the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and prevent a potential nationwide road construction work stoppage.  According to initial reports, the taxes will generate US$164bn increase in HTF revenues. Analysis by the Portland Cement Association (PCA), however, reports that the Corker-Murphy proposal would result in nearly US$210bn additional dollar...

Improving demand outlook for southern India

20 June 2014, Published under Cement News

Cement demand in southern India is expected to witness stronger rates of growth in the current fiscal led by infrastructure projects in Andhra Pradesh, a new report has forecast. Southern Indian consumption is expected to rise by 5-7 per cent in FY15 compared to one per cent YoY growth in FY14, a report by Karvy Broking said. The improved demand scenario will initially will be from infrastructure projects as political stability has set in the Andhra Pradesh (AP) region, Rajesh Kumar Rav...

Pakistan FY14-15 Budget set to positively impact on the cement sector

04 June 2014, Published under Cement News

Pakistan’s FY14-15 Budget, announced yesterday by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, is being regarded as largely positive for the country’s cement industry as it includes a number of infrastructures and energy-related projects which look set to spur demand. It is hoped that a 24 per cent increase in higher Public Sector Development Programme spending (PSDP), investments in irrigations, improving the road network and housing projects will accelerate cement demand from the current growth rate of t...