Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) is eyeing to export as much as 3mn tonnes of clinker, especially to Africa, Asia (including India) and Kuwait.
The export markets, which also include Yemen and Iraq, come in view of the company recently operationalising its fifth plant that will enhance the daily clinker production by 5,000 tonnes to 11,000 tonnes.
“We are looking at Africa, Asia and some of the Gulf countries. We have 3mn tonnes of clinker (for exports)”, QNCC chairman and managing director Salem Butti al-Naimi told media on the sidelines of an event held at its factory in Umbab.
He said some of the countries like Yemen and Iraq would need cement once the governments there open up the sector.
On the prospects in Indian markets, al-Naimi said QNCC is in advanced talks with players there.
The Asian country presents huge potential, considering the pace of infrastructure development, he said.
“We are in talks with many companies,” he said, adding their inclination towards products from Qatar depended on where those companies are located.
The demand generation is expected from housing and real estate, infrastructure and commercial as well as industrial development, according to Care Ratings.
The infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall development and enjoys intense focus from the federal government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world-class infrastructure in the country.
Asked when QNCC will foray, al-Naimi said the company was ready to enter any time soon. The export markets could give a fillip to the company, which could substantially strengthen its top line.
He said QNCC will continue to support the infrastructure development of Qatar.
It has plans to diversify its production by adding new types of cement to meet the demand of local market.
QNCC has also plans to utilise the optimum production capacity of washed sand and calcium carbonate to meet the expected local market demand to achieve the targeted goals of the company. For the first time in Qatar, the company started production of white cement, targeting utilisation of production capacity and diversification of products.
The company’s production in both categories of cement, ordinary portland and sulphate resistant, reached 2.9mn tonnes during 2018 compared to 3.5mn tonnes a year ago.
The production of washed sand increased to 7.8mn tonnes during 2018 against 9.1mn tonnes the previous year.
Calcium carbonate production increased to 47,000 tonnes during 2018 compared to 40,000 tonnes a year ago.
The total sales revenue was recorded at QR848mn during 2018 against QR1.03bn for the previous year.
QNB’s brand value rises nearly 20% year-on-year to $6.03 billion in 2020
QNB’s brand value has risen nearly 20% year-on-year to $6.03bn in 2020, putting it in a strong position to continue...