Belarus to buy Chinese cement in 2008

Belarus will buy cement from China in 2008, Architecture and Construction Minister Alexander Selyaznyou said on December 19 when questioned by parliamentarians at a joint session of the both chambers of the National Assembly of Belarus.
Selyaznyou noted that the government had hoped to reduce deficit in 2008 by increasing cement output by 700,000 tons. With 5.4 million tons in demand, the Belarusian cement factories will be able to produce only 4.3 million tons, reports Belapan.

Therefore, the government had decided to cover the deficit by importing cement from China. The Chinese cement is expected to cost $30-40 per ton. Taking into account the transport and customs costs, the Chinese cement will have competitive prices at the Belarusian market, Selyaznyou said.