Tunisia Cement Market
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. Country Overview
Tunisia, a country of 10 million people is bound by the Mediterranean Sea to its North and East, Libya to its South and Algeria to its West. Most of its population is concentrated in and around Tunis and towards the Eastern part of the country.
Tunisia attained independence from France in 1956 and currently has a rightist government headed by General Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
Tunisia's economy, traditionally based on agriculture, has diversified into mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Tunisia's manufacturing industries (located primarily in Tunis) include textile factories, steelworks, leather, food processing, paper, wood products, and construction materials. Tourism is also an important economic activity.
Petroleum, phosphates, textiles, and olive oil are the country's leading exports. Its imports, which exceed exports, are headed by machinery, metal products, chemicals, food (particularly cereals), and transportation equipment. France and other European Union countries, as well as North African countries, are the main trade partners.
The country discovered deposits of oil and natural gas in 1964. Tunisia also has large phosphate reserves and iron ore is found in small quantity. Zinc, lead, and salt are also mined.
With increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt, real growth has averaged 5.4% in the last five years. Tunisia recorded a record growth of 6.3% in 2007, however, this has fallen in 2008 to 5% and is expected to fall further in 2009, before improving from 2010.
2. Demand
Present Demand
Tunisia consumed 5.92 mio t of cement in 2008. Cement demand in Tunisia is concentrated in the Eastern part of the country with Tunis being the largest consumption center, accounting for roughly 27% of the demand.
Between 1999 and 2008, cement consumption has showed an average growth of 3.3% pa.
The primary driver for cement
1. Country Overview
Tunisia, a country of 10 million people is bound by the Mediterranean Sea to its North and East, Libya to its South and Algeria to its West. Most of its population is concentrated in and around Tunis and towards the Eastern part of the country.
Tunisia attained independence from France in 1956 and currently has a rightist government headed by General Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
Tunisia's economy, traditionally based on agriculture, has diversified into mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Tunisia's manufacturing industries (located primarily in Tunis) include textile factories, steelworks, leather, food processing, paper, wood products, and construction materials. Tourism is also an important economic activity.
Petroleum, phosphates, textiles, and olive oil are the country's leading exports. Its imports, which exceed exports, are headed by machinery, metal products, chemicals, food (particularly cereals), and transportation equipment. France and other European Union countries, as well as North African countries, are the main trade partners.
The country discovered deposits of oil and natural gas in 1964. Tunisia also has large phosphate reserves and iron ore is found in small quantity. Zinc, lead, and salt are also mined.
With increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt, real growth has averaged 5.4% in the last five years. Tunisia recorded a record growth of 6.3% in 2007, however, this has fallen in 2008 to 5% and is expected to fall further in 2009, before improving from 2010.
2. Demand
Present Demand
Tunisia consumed 5.92 mio t of cement in 2008. Cement demand in Tunisia is concentrated in the Eastern part of the country with Tunis being the largest consumption center, accounting for roughly 27% of the demand.
Between 1999 and 2008, cement consumption has showed an average growth of 3.3% pa.
The primary driver for cement