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Published on April 18, 2008

Pichaya Changsorn

The Nation

SCG must find other markets to offset a drop in US consumption, particularly regional ones, he said.

"In 2008, we're being very cautious about export markets. In fact, we've been adjusting since last year. During the first half of 2006, 30 per cent of our cement exports went to the US. Last year, the volume was almost nothing, even though our total exports increased," he said.

SCG hopes Thailand's political situation will become more stable, bringing back consumer confidence and thus encouraging private investments. Domestic consumption should show improvement.

Regarding spiralling energy costs, Kan said SCG had prepared several projects to improve its energy efficiency and that many were being completed, including a Bt6-billion waste-heat generator unit for its cement plants that would begin operating next year.

"However, energy prices have increased immensely. They've risen four-and-a-half times," he said.