Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has issued 10 licenses to export cement in the first seven months of 2022. The issuance of the new permits coincides with the start of the construction industry’s recovery from the many projects that had to be delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Red Sea Development Co., AMAALA, and other Saudi Arabian development projects like NEOM and Qiddiya are expected to boost construction activity, which will fuel the cement industry’s revival.
Since the Kingdom lifted a five-year restriction in 2016, there are now 112 licenses to export cement.
There are now 112 licenses to export cement
The cement market in Saudi Arabia has 17 main players, with Saudi-based Al-Emar Group Chairman Abdullatif Saleh Alsheikh, pointing out that the country’s cement companies are currently operating at around 60% of their total capacity. “This leaves room for growth as companies reach full production potential,” he stated.