(Ecofin Agency) - The Groupe Industriel des Ciments d’Algérie (GICA) is planning to reduce the cement deficit estimated at over 4 million tons per year with 2 new cement manufacturing plant extensions in Sétif and Chlef, which will start production by end 2016, APS reports.

The two extensions, in the cement plants of Ain El Kébira in Sétif and Chlef, will each add about 2 million tons per year, Mr. Ahmed Souidi, Head of Division for the group, explained. “We are also on the verge of signing a contract with a foreign partner for the extension of the cement plants of Zahana in Mascara and Beni Sarf in Ain Témouchent”, he added.

These are projects under study which could generate additional capacity of 3.5 million tons per year.

GICA is made up of 23 subsidiaries and has a total yearly production of 11.5 million tons with a target of 15.5 million tons by end 2016 and 18.5 million tons in 2018.