Displaying items by tag: Myanmar

Myanmar: The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will distribute more than US$250,000-worth of cement, funded by the National Disaster Management Committee, to repair homes damaged by the 28 March 2025 earthquake, according to Eleven Myanmar news. The earthquake affected 54 townships in eight regions and states.

At a meeting of the Myanmar Cement Manufacturers Association, its chair said that it would coordinate with local plants to produce and distribute cement, and hold market fairs in Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay to ensure supply to the general public. The Union Minister added that assistance would be given to damaged plants, specifically in obtaining spare parts and raw materials.

Myanmar: Cement prices have more than doubled in Mandalay, Naypyitaw and Sagaing following the earthquake in March 2025, delaying reconstruction efforts, according to The Irrawaddy newspaper. The regime reportedly promised to subsidise cement prices for reconstruction work, but this has only happened in Naypyitaw. In Sagaing city, most building supply shops were damaged by the earthquake and remain closed, leading to long queues at businesses that are still operating.

The Indian government recently donated 4500 bags of cement for reconstruction efforts, but residents say this will mostly be used in Naypyitaw. A building sector source said “The construction industry is also suffering from labour shortages. We are not doing any building work, just demolitions. We have to buy any brand of product, including domestically produced cement. Even the big companies are rationing cement sales.”

Cement prices were reportedly increasing before the earthquake due to a decline in production. Only six of the country’s nine cement plants are now operating, producing around 340,000 bags per day. In April 2025, officials inspected over 300 building suppliers and prosecuted more than 60 for overcharging.

Myanmar: An Indian Navy vessel, the UMS Myitkyina, arrived at Thilawa (MITT) port on 23 May 2025, carrying 225t of cement donated by the Indian government to support reconstruction efforts after the March 2025 earthquake, according to the Global Light of Myanmar newspaper. A handover ceremony for the 4500 50kg bags of cement took place later that afternoon. The Yangon Region government supervised the transfer of the cement onto cargo trucks for distribution to affected areas.

Myanmar: Authorities are working to expedite the reopening of cement plants in Kyaukse, Mandalay Region, following the earthquake in late March 2025, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Kyaukse District administrator U Kaung Myat Naing said that one plant expects to resume supplying 100,000 bags of cement per day by mid-May 2025. The reopening of cement plants will help to meet the growing demand in the country.

Myanmar: A further 2400t of cement was delivered to Yangon Port on 20 April 2025, according to the Global Light of Myanmar newspaper. The government has permitted cement imports to meet rising demand during the open season and for post-earthquake resettlement works. Ships continue to bring cement into the country via the Kawthoung border, with further weekly deliveries scheduled. Three shipments of cement have already been delivered to Myanmar in April 2025.

Myanmar: Five of nine local cement plants were damaged in the earthquake on 28 March 2025. Four plants are in the Mandalay Region, the epicentre of the earthquake, and one is in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Union Minister for Industry Charlie Than held a meeting with the Myanmar Cement Association, stating that the government is recommending hiring foreign consultants and importing equipment.

The government has also reportedly authorised foreign cement imports to meet demand, with shipments arriving via the Kawthoung border and at Shwepyitha Shweme jetty in Yangon. A vessel carrying 2500t of cement arrived on 9 April 2025 and distribution is underway.

Myanmar: A vessel carrying 3000t of cement has arrived at Mottama Port, following the government's decision in January 2025 to permit cement imports in an effort to meet domestic demand for cement.

The shipment arrived on 21 February 2025 via the Kawthaung Border Trade Station to be distributed. Additional cement shipments will arrive weekly to address the domestic shortage, according to NP News. Myanmar's cement demand is reportedly 10Mt/yr, while domestic production is below 8Mt/yr.

Myanmar: The government will allow coal imports for cement plants from February 2025 in order to increase production, according to local news reports. Cement plants which need coal can apply for an import licence. The country's 16 private and three state-run cement plants produce less than 8Mt/yr, while national consumption exceeds 10Mt/yr, requiring cement plants to operate at full capacity.

Thailand/Myanmar: Siam Cement Group (SCG) has suspended the operations of two plants in Myanmar and halted any expansion plans over the next two years amid ongoing economic decline and political instability. The economic situation in Myanmar has deteriorated since the outbreak of Covid-19 and was exacerbated by the 2021 military coup and continuing conflicts between the junta government and various ethnic groups, reports The Nation newspaper.

SCG's executive vice president, Thammasak Sethaudom, stated that the company has invested over US$240m in these facilities. He said "There is no hope of resuming operations anytime soon. Myanmar has another cement plant in the north, owned by a Chinese company and guarded by the Chinese military. SCG could not do that and we would not risk our employees’ lives."

Myanmar: The new port of Sittwe in Rakhine State, which opened on 9 May 2023, has received a shipment of 20,000 bags of Indian cement. Press Trust of India News has reported that the shipment left Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata, West Bengal, in May 2023.