India: Member of parliament Shanta Kumar says that a cement plant for the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh will be inaugurated in October 2018. He added that the plant would likely be in the Sikridhar area, according to the Times of India newspaper. Kumar had previously discussed the project as a solution to reduce poverty and unemployment in the area while campaigning for election.

The state government originally signed a memorandum of understanding with Jap Pradesh Associates in 2007 to build a 2Mt/yr cement plant. However, the agreement was cancelled in 2014. The plant was intended to use limestone deposits at Baroh Shind.

Saudi Arabia: Najran Cement has received a clinker export licence from the Ministry of Commerce and Investment. The licence is valid for one year from 30 April 2018.

Pakistan: Kohat Cement has started commercial operation of a 105t/hr cement mill at its plant. The cement producer operates a single integrated plant at Kohat-Rawalpindi. It is also upgrading the site with a new 7800t/day production line.

Kenya: Cement consumption has fallen for the first time since 2000. It fell by 8.2% year-on-year to 6.2Mt in 2017 from 6.7Mt in 2016, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reported on by the Daily Nation newspaper. Reduced demand for building materials in the construction sector occurred at the same time as a fall in the value of building plans approved in 2017.