JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal yesterday launched the Tihama Cement Factory in Qunfuda, belonged to Southern Cement Company, in the presence of Prince Khaled bin Turki Al-Turki, chairman of the company, and Prince Abdullah bin Musaed, its deputy chairman.
Speaking to reporters after the inauguration, Prince Khaled confirmed plans to establish a railway line between Jeddah and Jazan. “I had presented this project while I was the governor of Asir province. I had also spoke about another railway line between Taif and Abha. I am happy to learn that both railway projects would be implemented soon,” he said.
Prince Khaled said the Makkah governorate would extend all support to development projects initiated by private companies.
Prince Khaled, who is on an inspection tour of Qunfuda and Laith, warned against illegal occupation of land without proper records. “We have set up committees to recover such lands in Jeddah, Makkah and Taif and they are doing a great job to retrieve state property,” the governor said.
The new cement factory, located on southwest coast of the Kingdom was established with the support of China’s Sinoma Company. Work on the project started in the end of 2004. The factory has a daily capacity to produce 5,700 tons of clinker. It employs more than 550 employees including 250 Saudis.
“Cement is one of the basic commodities required by development,” said Safar bin Mohammed Dhafeer, CEO of the company, adding that cement consumption in the Kingdom is growing year after year as it jumped from one million to 23 million tons within 13 years. He said Southern Cement has been playing a big role in meeting the requirements of the southern region.