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Vietnam: The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) has signed a credit contract with Thanh Thang Cement Corporation to develop a second production line at its cement plant in Thanh Nghi, Ha Nam.

Under the agreement, the BIDV will lend Thanh Thang Cement US$156m. The project requires a total investment of US$250m. The new line will have 2.3Mt/yr of cement production capacity. It was added to the government's plan for the cement industry in Vietnam during the 2011 - 2020 period. Once completed for operation in 2017, the project is expected to create jobs for more than 1000 local labourers.

Vietnam has become the fifth-largest cement producer and consumer in the world after China, India, Iran and the US. The country now has 74 cement production lines with a combined output of 77Mt/yr. The output volume is predicted to continue increasing. The ministry has predicted that Vietnam's sales of cement and clinker will to rise by 1.5 - 4% year-on-year to 72 – 74Mt in 2015, of which domestic sales will rise by 4.5 - 6.5% to 53 – 54Mt and exports will be at 19 – 20Mt.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Cement Company has launched a new brand identity that embodies the company's future vision for growth.

A ceremony was held at the Sheraton Damman Hotel to mark the occasion in the presence of senior government officials, businessmen, suppliers and clients. The event also marked the company's diamond jubilee.

According to a statement, Saudi Cement chose to evolve its brand and motto in order to reflect a new identity and pledge solid commitment to clients in line with its vision and determination to continue in the path of fundamental evolution embarked on in 2008.

Chairman Khalid bin Abdul-rahman Al Rajhi said that the new identity confirms that Saudi Cement is looking forward to a brighter future. "In light of the changing conditions in the markets of the cement industry, the company reveals a new brand identity that reflects its historical legacy and our present day status, as well as our relentless efforts to be innovative and have a positive impact on the future," said the Chairman. "All of the shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers and the community we serve have played a part in our successful achievements and we cherish our excellent relations with them."

Managing Director Walid bin Ahmed Al Juffali highlighted the importance of planning and development in the outstanding performance of the company. He said that there were a number of key factors to the success of the company, including the concerted efforts of co-operation between the staff of the company, customers' trust and the favourable climate created by the government to support national companies.

"We were able to attain the objectives that we set during the past decade," said Al Juffali. "Armed with a clear vision we set our goals, outlined our values and managed to develop the organisational structure of the company and motivate the human resources to materialise our objectives. Thus Saudi Cement was able to attain its well-deserved leading position and looks forward to a promising future. The leading position assumed by Saudi Cement is the outcome of a solid foundation and historical heritage spanning half-a-century during which the company was able to weave close relations with stakeholders, clients, suppliers and the community it is serving to the benefit of all parties." He stressed that the new brand identity is an accolade deserved by merit of outstanding performance in the region, driving the company to become one of the major and most trusted companies in the Saudi and Middle East markets.

Saudi Cement benefits from its presence in Al Ahsa, in close proximity to the energy needed to run the cement plant and raw materials essential for the cement manufacturing process, as well as the availability of skilled labour and craftsmen. The proximity of the cement plant, linked by rail to King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam also helps to facilitate cement exports.

Nigeria: China National Materials Company's Shanghai-listed subsidiary Sinoma International Engineering Co Ltd has entered into an engineering, procurement and construction contract with Ibeto Cement Company Limited for a 6000t/day clinker line and 45MW self-generation power plant in Enugu, Nigeria. The contract is worth US$386m. It covers the whole process, from the exploitation of limestone mines and the crushing of raw materials, to the packing and delivery of cement and a captive power plant and includes engineering design, supply of equipment, steelwork and materials, civil construction, installation, debugging and staff training.

Malaysia: The protracted slump of the Malaysian Ringgit against the US Dollar, which has plagued importers and harmed consumer sentiment with the threat of imported inflation, has also cast its shadow over the cement industry.

The Cement and Concrete Association of Malaysia (C&CA) Chairman Datuk Yeoh Soo Keng said that some items crucial to the cement industry, such as coal and gypsum, are purchased in US Dollars. "Coal and gypsum, which are important components of our industry, are imported in US Dollars. With the current weak Ringgit levels, this has an impact on the industry," said Yeoh Soo Keng, who is also the CEO of YTL Cement Bhd, a member of C&CA.

Lafarge's former president and CEO Bradley Mulroney said that the weak Ringgit had also impacted imports of clinker. "The import of clinkers has gone up by about 20% due to the impact of the weak Ringgit," he said.

Hume Industries Bhd Managing Director Quah Thain Khan said that cement players are working to mitigate the impact of the weak Ringgit by managing the usage of raw materials, such as coal, more efficiently. "We also negotiate for cheaper sources of coal," said Thain Khan, adding that the industry is also challenged by the increasing cost of foreign labour. "I think that the industry needs to place more emphasis on automation and be less labour-intensive by investing in precast concrete systems and industrialised building systems."

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said that the construction industry would see 'reasonable growth' in 2016, fuelled by infrastructure projects under the 11th Malaysia Plan, such as Mass Rapid Transit Line 2, Light Rail Transit Line 3 and the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway. "It will not be double-digit growth, but it will be reasonable growth. As for the slow-down in the property sector, the softening is more in the high-end housing segment; the affordable housing segment continues to be reasonably strong," said Mustapa.

Mustapa added that Malaysia's cement and concrete industry is an important economic pillar, contributing about 4% of the country's gross domestic product. "The industry has also contributed to Malaysia's export earnings, with exports to countries such as Australia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India, but, at the same time, Malaysia is still a net importer when it comes to clinker." From January to August 2015, Malaysia imported US$81.4m of clinker, compared with US$77.9m in the same period of 2014. "It is hoped that more integrated cement plants will be set up in Malaysia to produce our own clinker and reduce imports," said Mustapa.