MAY KUNMAKARA
 |
| A cement processing factory will be a boost for the Kingdom’s busy construction industry. KT/Chor Sokunthea |
During a meeting between Chinese-owned Cambodia Capital Mineral Resources Co., and the Ministry of Mines and Energy last week, company president Li Xiao Ming floated the idea of building a cement processing factory to boost supply for the Kingdom’s busy construction industry.
According to a statement released by the ministry yesterday, the meeting at the ministry was intended to seek government support before the company begins a feasibility study.
Minister Suy Sem welcomed the idea, the statement noted, and implied that the project would have government approval.
“The construction project of a cement factory doesn’t only contribute to the mining development of Cambodia [for raw materials] but it is also responding to the demand for cement in the construction sector which has developed remarkably over the last few years.”
Meng Saktheara, secretary of state at the ministry told Khmer Times yesterday the company has operated a marble quarry in Stung Treng province for the past two years, and that the proposed factory was much needed.
“It is good for us because although presently we can produce cement, it cannot meet demand so we still need to import. If they can set up the factory it will not only supply the market but they can also make exports to our neighboring countries as well,” Mr. Saktheara said.
By next year, the ministry estimates that demand for cement in Cambodia will be five million tons annually. In December, local conglomerate Chip Mong Group signed a partnership with Chinese-owned CITIC Heavy Industries to build a $262 million cement plant in Kampot province, with a daily production capacity of 5,000 tons a day.
Investment in existing cement factories has also increased. In June, Thai Siam Cement Group invested $120 million in a second production line at its factory in Kampot province, which will increase production to 900,000 tons a year.
No comments:
Post a Comment