India-based Ramco is planning to set up a cement factory in Myanmar. “Our company has been jointly working with Agro Coro International Pte Ltd to import cements from Ramco for six months. We are now in discussions with respective officials to establish the factory,” a source told local press.

Interest in Myamnar’s cement industry has been increasing as the country opens up to the world after 50 years of military rule into a newly-born democracy.

Currently there are 14 cement plants and 25 production lines but actual production is approximately 2.5Mt with a utilisation rate of around 80 per cent as individual plants are small and remain uncompetitive. Cement demand, meanwhile, is around 6Mt and with construction activity increasing and the government keen to resume previously halted projects, it is expected to continue its current substantial rise in the coming few years.