Cement consumption expected to double

Moroccan consumption of cement, which is presently growing at a rate of 3 to 4%, will almost double in the coming years, from 7 to 15 million tons, says French daily "La Tribune."

The daily writes that investments of French cement group "Lafarge," which currently holds 40% of the Moroccan cement market, should be proportional to the thriving market.

Moroccan holding "ONA" and "Lafarge" have decided to jointly invest $ 120 million (1.2 billion DH) to build a cement plant in the northern Moroccan city of Tetuan.

With an estimated annual production capacity of 960,000 tons, the plant to be operational in 2003 will help meet Moroccan needs expected to grow from 7 to 15 million tons in 2015. The growing cement needs will require a new cement plant each three years.

Fifteen percent of the initial investment will go to environment protection programs.

The daily comments that by consolidating its presence in Morocco, Lafarge wants to be the first to benefit from this expanding market that attracts major operators.