The Kingdom’s cement exports in 2017 totaled approximately 163,000 tons, according to monthly reports issued by cement companies, Jihad Al-Rashid, Chairman of the National Committee for Cement Companies at the Council of Saudi Chambers, revealed that exports were limited to the Kingdom of Bahrain, which was exempt from export duties, but they ceased entirely in March 2017 following the imposition of export duties.

Al-Rashid added that clinker stockpiles reached unprecedented historical levels, exceeding 35 million tons by the end of October 2017—enough to meet the domestic market’s needs for more than 11 months.

The committee chairman expressed the Kingdom’s cement industry’s appreciation for the government’s efforts to support and foster the national industry, as well as the roles of both the Ministry of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Commerce and Investment in developing the national industry to ensure an increase in the trade surplus by supporting local industry and developing non-oil exports.

He praised the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the National Committee of Cement Companies and various relevant government agencies, aimed at overcoming the difficulties facing the national cement sector and averting the risks threatening it by resuming export operations.