SANTO DOMINGO.- The local demand for cement reached 2.8 million tons last year, or 8% less that the previous year, and 3.8 million has been produced since 2006.

The figures disclosed yesterday by the cement makers grouped in Adocem show that despite that the global crisis has led to a one million-ton fall in production in the last few years, the country still remains as the region’s leader in installed capacity per capita, ahead of major producers such as Mexico and Brazil.

According to Adocem president Osvaldo Oller, the construction sector has yet to surmount the sluggishness of the last four years, but noted the timely support during the electoral periods, mostly in spending on public works.

The executive, in a gathering with journalists, publishers and opinion leaders, said investments in the hotel sector construction and in real estate tourism have declined, the same with housing, “very strongly affected by the high bank interest rates.”