According to the Construction Ministry, to overcome difficulties in the production and consumption of building materials, the Ministry has asked businesses to reduce input, especially in energy and production cost, boost intensive investment, improve quality and style, and create more competitive products.
Mr Nguyen Quang Cung, Head of the Building Materials Department, Construction Ministry, said technology transfer has been rapidly developed in the building materials sector. For instance, in the cement industry, new technology has been applied including systems of heating and grinding with less energy consumption. While the ceramics industry with new technology can produce artificial granite of European standard, diversified in style and size, and the construction glass industry has been investing in the latest technology.
According to experts, the building materials sector has met domestic demand, ensuring supply to major modern projects. In 2006, the sector produced and marketed 32.5 million tonnes of cement, 130 million cubic metres of ceramic bricks, 81 million square metres of construction glass, over 5 million sanitary porcelain units. Besides having a firm foothold in domestic market, the products have been exported to over 100 foreign markets such as the US, South Korea, Italy, and Australia, with turnover of US$243 million.
However, the sector still has many shortfalls. It remains a mixture of new and old technologies such as manual brick making and vertical cement kilns. Mineral extraction is in small and scattered operations, causing the loss of resources and damage to the environment. The production cost remains high and affects the competitiveness of products.
To increase competitiveness, Mr Cung believes technology transfer must be boosted, applying suitable technologies in business activities to produce high quality products and save energy. Backward technology, small and scattered enterprises must be changed. Strong economic organizations must be established to compete successfully in the region and the world.
Regarding export strategy, Vietnam has a comparative edge in building materials, with great human and natural resources. The export of existing products may continue for 10 to 15 years. In 2020-2025, export products must be high class paints, impermeable materials, specialized cement of higher value and fewer raw materials.
For its part, the Construction Ministry has requested the government issue a decree on the management of building materials, to restrain adverse impacts on the national economy and project architecture, and to ensure optimal use of natural resources while protecting construction demand and sustainable development.
P.V
Vietnamese
