Kampot cement have accelerated works on their second factory after signing an agreement to buy technology and machinery from China, allowing them to produce more ahead of anticipated demand, according to company management.

Prak Soserey Wathana, Manager of Kampot Cement, said that it had signed a contract with Chinese company CITIC Heavy Industries Co Ltd for supplying the new equipment.

Wathana would not elaborate on the cost, but he said the agreement would allow the company to step up production ahead of the year’s schedule.

He confirmed that the second factory would be completed in late 2015.

“Now, the demand in our country is huge due to increased construction,” he said, adding that the company also has plans to export.

Kampot Cement currently operates one factory with approximate output of 2,800 tonnes per day. The second factory will be able to produce 2,500 tonnes a day.

Siam City Cement and the Chip Mong Group also signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new cement plant in the Toukmeas district of Kampot by 2015.

A feasibility study confirmed the factory should be able to produce between one and 1.5 million tonnes per year.

Sok Chantha, public relations manager for the Chip Mong Group, said he was not threatened by the new Kampot Cement factory.

“We have market share already, and the markets are still open, so it is of no concern,” he said.