Business Staff

Construction projects in and around Nelson Mandela Bay and the western part of the Eastern Cape escaped the most severe effects of the economic slump, judging from cement sales last year.

National sales dipped by 4,2%, but sales in the Eastern Cape, excluding what is defined as “Border/Transkei” actually rose by 9,83%. That figure was, however, lower than the 13,2% growth in 2007.

The Border/Transkei region recorded the biggest drop in the 11 categories measured in cement production figures announced on Wednesday, with sales down by 13,3% after a 12,2% increase in 2007.

The next biggest regional drop was in Gauteng, where sales were down 11,05% over 2007 figures, although the province still recorded the biggest sales volume.

The figure for Gauteng was 4,8 million tons, compared to 5,4 million tons in 2007 when growth of 10,4% was recorded.

Source: The Herald