According to the minister, Vietnam’s total cement output this year is estimated at more than 41 million tonnes after 11 new cement plants are put into operation. The output will then increase to 56.2 million tonnes when Vietnam builds 17 more plants in 2009. The minister forecast that the total volume of cement will only be used up if the demand for cement in 2009 increases by 30 percent over the previous year.

Mr Quan said that his ministry is currently working with other sectors and cement businesses to find overseas outlets for locally produced cement.

Cement companies discussed a number of measures to stabilise the market in southern provinces following a recent virtual cement fever. The Vietnam Cement Corporation consequently asked its member affiliates to transport cement to the south and, as a result, cement prices began to fall gradually.