Cement sales up 11%

Cement sales in Bolivia to October 2003 are 11% higher than for same-period 2002, according to national statistics institute INE and the country's cement and concrete institute, El Diario reported. To October 31, cement sales totaled 895,693t. The double-digit growth has been attributed to a recovery in the economy, according to Samuel Doria Medina, president of Soboce, the country's biggest cement producer. Chuquisaca department has recorded the highest consumption level with sales of 239,044t, up 16.7% over the prior year. Other key consumption locations have been the capital region, La Paz, and Cochabamba, which recorded sales of 218,441t and 172,017t respectively. Sales breakdown by department for the 10 months is: Chuquisaca 26.6%, La Paz 24.3%, Cochabamba 19.2%, Santa Cruz 14.4%, Oruro 8.6% and Tarija 6.6%.