The cement and clinker export has reached 9.68 million tonnes for the first eight months of this year, according to the Ministry of Construction (MoC).

The figure represents an increase of 9 percent compared to the same period of 2013.

Exports in August have seen a remarkable surge of 12 percent compared to July, hitting 1.1 million tonnes.

The domestic market consumed 42.5 million tonnes in the 8-month period, equivalent to 68.6 percent of the sector’s yearly target. Cement sales are expected to rise toward the end of the year, as the construction season has begun following the end of the rainy season. Positive signs on the real estate market will also help boost consumption of construction materials.

The Ministry of Construction estimates cement consumption will reach 62 - 63 million tonnes this year, a mere 1.5-3 percent increase compared to 2013. It announced an export goal of 14 million tonnes, the same export volume of last year.-VNA