Cement shortage delays many projects: Official Cement continues to be in short supply, a senior official at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) says he is completely in the dark about the reasons behind the shortage. "We know there is cement shortage but we do not know what is the reason is. Is there shortage because of production problems or because the projects that we have are larger than our cement production capacity would allow," asked Nasser Ahmed Al Meer, QCCI Board Member. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a contractors meeting at QCCI headquarters yesterday, Al Meer hinted that some construction materials are finding their way to the black market. "Construction materials like cement are available as they are produced locally. Cement may not be available at the source but it can be found in the black market at prices four or five times higher than the fixed price. For instance, a bag that costs QR12 would fetch QR65," he said. The meeting was called by the QCCI to try and sort out the problems related to construction materials. "We will try and find who is causing this problem," said Al Meer. Construction materials like washed sand, gabbro, and steel are available. The prices have shot up dramatically and QCCI would make an effort to freeze the prices and set up a mechanism which would help garner government support to have these materials subsidised. According to a study conducted three years ago Qatar would require 25,000 tonnes of cement per day in 2007 and now it is evident the country would need more than that. Steel, however is not facing the same problem, according to Al Meer. "Steel produced locally is being sold at a fixed price, but imported steel is subject to the international market price," he said. He also pointed out that the shortage of certain building materials such as cement has led to delays of many projects. Al Meer said he is preparing a study where he would suggest fixed prices for certain basic construction materials for both the private and government sectors. "When such materials are subsidised for all projects either private or public sectors, it would bring down inflation," he said. Meanwhile, the commercial manager at Teyseer, a building materials and transport company, said steel prices have gone slightly down on the international market, but in Qatar steel is sold at subsidised prices. He said in Qatar there was no shortage of steel which is the world's cheapest. "Steel is being sold in neighbouring countries at QR5,000 per metric tonne. We are selling here 16mm to 40mm steel at QR3,200 per metric tonne," he said. The Pen

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