The Minister of Commerce, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, has recently announced that the government intends to support the cement sector with SR 3 billion. However, the imbursement will be given to the cement importers and not the manufacturing plants.

Al-Rabiah also assured that the Kingdom will not face a cement crisis again, referring to the royal decree to import 10 million tons of cement.

He also revealed that four new cement plants will be established in the near future saying, the relevant government agencies will decide where the new plants will be constructed.

In a related development, Al-Rabiah confirmed that all the cement traders who violated the regulations and manipulated the market would be penalized and “their names would be disclosed.”

Al-Rabiah called on all citizens who notice the phrase, “No refund or exchange” on cement items to contact the Commerce Ministry and file a report on the matter immediately.

“Any store selling goods and services that do not correspond to the required specifications is obliged to refund,” he said, pointing out that commercial litigation is conducted with the coordination of the Ministry of Justice.