Cement Energy Environment

92 The global cement and clinkers trade is expected to rebound sharply in 2021 mostly on account of increasing investment and vibrant construction activities across globe. The current uptick in demand for the construction raw materials, the domestic production might not be sufficient in many of the traditional importers and they could increase their imports in 2021. Meanwhile, Vietnam has been a major cement exporter, but its destination has mostly been other Asian countries. However, over past two years its share in the US and Central American countries has increased sharply. Vietnam was a non-existent trade partner with the Central American countries five years ago. It accounted for 30% of total cement imports to Central America in 2020 and we expect the share of Vietnam would continue to expand. Elsewhere, China’s economic activity is already strengthening, which is driving the country’s industrial sector. Strong fiscal support and favourable monetary policies such as liquidity injection into the banking system and firm infrastructure investment will keep the country’s demand for cement upbeat in 2021. Cement trade