CAIRO: Ahmed Al-Zeiny, head of building materials in Cairo's Chamber, confirmed that the General Organization for Export and Import Control placed a 28 day restriction on the shipment of cement for detection. Al-Zeiny said the temporary restrictions will affect the import of Turkish cement, in an effort to restrict producers from a monopolization of cement resources. Companies went on to refuse the restrictions, wanting them fixed by May and signaling the negative affects of the recession within the cement market and drop in previous costs. Al-Zeiny is scheduled over the next few days to meet with the head of the General Organization for Exports and Imports to discuss the crisis. Officials of the ports who are currently refusing the restrictions are also scheduled to be present. Until recently, one ton of cement cost approximately 300 EGP (U.S. $67) but has since risen to 510-530 EGP (U.S. $86-90).
