Cement Energy and Environment

in construction activities and construction sector is the biggest employer of semi- and unskilled labour force of any economy. The removal of excise duty would improve the viability of industry, as instead of raising cement rates, industry will be able to maintain prevailing rates and give boost to construction business. Courtesy: Indian Cement Review, April2011, P18. SAUDI ARABIA SETS UP COMMITTEE FOR CEMENT COMPANIES The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has formed a national committee for cement companies under the umbrella of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The committee held its first meeting at the council's headquarters in Riyadh and elected Zamil Abdul Rahman AI-Muqrin as its Chairman. AI-Muqrin said the committee, which includes investors in the industry, would contribute to strengthening the vital industry. "The cement industry has a good future as a result of the Kingdom's tremendous economic growth," he added. AI-Muqrin referred to the growing development, infrastructure and real estate projects across the country. "These projects will increase the demand for cement. As a result, an agency like ours is requ ired to develop this important sector," he said. According to him, cement companies in · the Kingdom would double their outputs to meet the growing demand. "The committee will provide a variety of services to its members," the chairman concluded . At present, the committee includes a number of prominent industrialists and businessman. Courtesy: Indian Cement Review, April 2011, P17. GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION FORECAST According to a report, global construction will outpace GOP growth over the next 10 years with China and India accounting for 38 per cent of the $4.8 trillion increase in output by 2020. By 2018, India will be able to become the world's third largest construction market. China's construction sector will be more than double in size by 2020 with $2.5trillion, accounting for a fifth of world construction. The report states that emerging markets with their fast - growing popu lation and increased urbanization and robust economic growth, will account for 55 per cent of the global construction by 2020, up from 46 per cent today. The report estimates that $97 .7 trillion will be spent on construction globally during the next decade and the sector will expand by 5.2 per cent on average every year, outpacing global GOP growth. The construction sector worldwide currently accounts for more than 11 per cent of global GOP and the report predicts that it will account for 13.2 of the world GOP by 2020. Seven countries - China , India the United States, Indonesia, Canada, Russia and Australia - will account for 65 per cent of the growth in global construction by that time. Outlook is less rosy for France as well as other Western European countries, which are yet set to register little construction growth. Years of underinvestment in the US infrastructure are unlikely to come to an end soon given swelling deficit unless private investment pumps in. In the Midd le East and North Africa, presence of natural resources will lead construction activities and $4.3 trillion are expected to be spent on construction. Spending in India on construction will overtake Japan and by 2018 India could emerge as the world's third largest construction market, states the report. Courtesy: NBM&CWApril2011 , P50. SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION HILL CITY ON SHAKY GROUND Lavasa is a destination for the well-heeled, upwardly mobile, aspiring for quality life. The streets bear names like Thicket and Ce losia (an ornamental plant); the village that the town replaces- Dasve- has become the Oasve boulevard. The town centre boasts a town hall that does not resemble any municipal office but a corporate office, headed by an American designated town manager. Numerous buildings are at various stages of completion in about 700 hectares (ha). If completed , Lavasa will occupy about 5,000 hectares along the edges of seven hills in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats. Its unique selling point is its waterfront, provided by the backwaters of Warasgaon dam on the River Mose. 38