France: Vicat Group has released its financial results for 2025, showing what its CEO called a ‘solid’ performance in 2025, despite a ‘complex international environment.’ The group’s sales reached €3.8bn in 2025, a rise of 3.3% on a like-for-like basis. Growth accelerated gradually throughout the year, with a rise of 8.1% on a like-for-like basis in the fourth quarter of 2025. Group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) reached €771m in 2025, up by 3.7%. Its net income amounted to €307m, up 11.9%.

Following a first-half decline, cement volumes rebounded in the second half, leading to full-year growth of 3.0%. This dynamic reflects a gradual stabilisation in France, a sustained recovery in Switzerland and a strong performance in the Mediterranean region, offsetting the decline in volumes in the US. Industrial performance improved in the cement business, notably driven by an increase in the use of alternative fuels, which rose by 1.4 points compared to 2024, reaching 37.4%.

Cement prices remained resilient overall in the group’s key regions: they rose in most emerging countries, with the exception of India and Senegal, and held steady in developed markets. Concrete volumes rose by 0.9% in 2025, supported by strong growth in Brazil and Türkiye. However, this was partially offset by a decline in the US, particularly in California, and by a moderate downturn in France.

Vicat’s Chair and CEO Guy Sidos said, “In a complex international environment characterised by headwinds and adverse exchange rate effects, the group delivered solid results in 2025, following a record year in 2024. This performance underscores the resilience of our business model, which is built on a balanced presence across developed and emerging markets, as well as a local-to-local approach. It also demonstrates the importance of the long-term vision of our corporate strategy, and the unwavering commitment of our employees across 12 countries.”

Syria: Officials at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce met a Jordanian economic delegation on 16 February 2026 to discuss potential investment in Syria’s cement industry. The talks brought together board members and a delegation led by Mohammad Ali Bdeir, chair of Jordan’s General Mining Company.

Discussions focused on investment opportunities in Syria, particularly in cement manufacturing, as well as the legal framework governing foreign investment and ways to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Participants said the meeting aimed to revive trade cooperation after years of limited economic engagement, pointing to what they described as positive signs for expanded bilateral cooperation.

The meeting forms part of broader efforts by business groups to promote Arab economic cooperation and investment into Syrian industry, including those linked to reconstruction and industrial activity.

India: Approval has been granted for three major railway projects in a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Approximately US$2bn will be spent on three multi-tracking projects, which the government says will strengthen the railway network. The routes are from Kasara to Manmad, from Delhi to Ambala, and from Ballari to Hospete. A third and fourth rail line will be laid on all these routes, which will help reduce traffic congestion.

This government says that the projects will speed up freight transport, with a capacity increase of 96Mt/yr. This includes key building materials like cement, coal, steel, grains and fertilisers. The government claims that using rail transport will reduce oil imports and help to reduce CO₂ emissions, in line with the country's climate goals.

Qatar: Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) made a net profit of US$261m in 2025, a fall of 37% year-on-year compared to US$416m in 2024. Earnings per share were US$0.39, a fall from US$0.62.