DOHA, 6 June 2005 — Qatar National Cement Co. will almost triple output to 3.5 million tons next year to help feed a construction boom, the company’s general manager told Reuters yesterday. High oil and gas prices have catapulted the tiny Gulf Arab state’s economy into one of the fastest growing in the region and created a booming real estate and construction sector. This has led to a cement shortage which industry sources say has delayed the completion of projects. The company has been importing about 2,500 tons per day mainly from Asian countries to meet demand, they said. Mohammed Ali Al-Sulaiti, general manager of the state-controlled cement firm, said the production increase from the current 1.2 million tons per year will be the result of a $240 million expansion.