The AUCBM Activities 

Arab Union for Cement and Building Materials

 

   International Conferences

   Seminars and Meetings: Twenty-five technical and economic seminars & meetings in the field of cement and ceramics were held up till end of 2000

   Training Courses: 

Training Courses for Arab Staff:                Sixty eight training courses were held for 1307 Arab trainees till the end of 2003 (details)

Training Courses for Non-Arab Staff:          Within the frame of cooperation with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to conduct training courses in the field of cement and building materials for trainees from non-Arab African countries, the AUCBM held two training courses on “Quality Control in Cement Production” at the training center of The Jordan Cement Factories Co. The first course was held during the period 20th May – 01st June 2000, in which 15 trainees from 7 English-speaking African countries participated. The second was held during the period 21st May - 03rd June 2001, in which 18 trainees from 13 English-speaking African countries participated.
In 2003 the AUCBM held a third similar training course at Qatar National Cement Company’s training center during the period 06th – 18th December, in which 15 trainees from 11 countries participated.

The AUCBM held, as well, two similar courses at the training center of Bizerte Cement Company. The first workshop was held during the period 12th – 25th September 2001, in which 18 trainees from 18 French-speaking African countries participated. The second course was held on 01st – 13th September 2003 where 15 trainees from 15 countries participated.

   Trainees Exchange:          This is a method of practical applied training that the AUCBM organizes among its member Arab cement and building materials companies by which a trainee can obtain training (within his specialization) together with his counterparts in the company offering the training program. This lies in the course of developing training and granting it an organized, programmed form, which depends on practical requirements and aims at serving Arab technical staff. Number of accomplished training opportunities among member companies amounted to 528 till the end of 2002.

   Technical Visits:          Through coordination with member companies, the AUCBM organizes mutual technical visits among the staff of member companies. The number of such visits till the end of 2002 reached 85.

   Establishment, Development and Supporting Regional Training Centers:          Within the frame of the AUCBM’s interest in training, the following was carried out:

1. Locating existing specialized training centers in Arab countries.

2. Cooperating with these centers in holding the courses executed annually by the
   AUCBM, as well the courses requested by member companies.

3. Providing existing centers with training programs.

4. Providing companies with technical and administrative consultancy and assistance
   to establish their own mini training centers
    

  Periodicals and Bulletins:

• Cement and Building Materials Review

• Cement and Building Materials Bulletin: It is a monthly bulletin issued in Arabic and includes news on Arab and international cement and building materials industry, concerning statistical data related to production, prices, modern technologies, as well as the Arab and international specialized seminars and conferences. Up till end 2002, the AUCBM had published 145 issues.

  Statistical publications: 

• It is an annual statistical report that includes Arab data concerning design capacities, actual production, imports, exports, and apparent consumption of cement on country level. This report is distributed to all member companies and specialized parties.

• A statistical table that involves prices of cement sold locally or internationally. This table is also distributed to all member companies.

• Statistical bulletins including:

- Prices of energy used in cement manufacturing (electricity, fuel, gas,etc.)

- Types of fuel used to produce one ton of cement.

   Studies in the field of the AUCBM’s Activity:          The AUCBM has conducted 172 studies till the end of 2002 in different fields of cement and building materials, in addition to directories, statistical studies and dictionaries.

   Consultations:          The AUCBM presented around 3622 technical, administrative and economical consultancy services till the end of 2002.

    Services in the fields of Production Requirements:

Raw Materials: Most raw materials are local. However, the AUCBM helps its members to get those not available locally through providing them with the necessary information on their specifications and prices and their availability.

Production Requirements: The AUCBM assists its members in obtaining their needs of production requirements from international companies, as well as providing them with their specifications and prices. The AUCBM, as well, provides some members with spare parts that are surplus at others.

The AUCBM, on the other hand, presents assistance to its members in marketing their products.

Introducing the Latest Developments: Providing members with latest international novelties, in the fields of technology, quality and specifications - Providing members with latest technical information published in international periodicals.

   Providing Technical Expertise:          The AUCBM assisted in providing 80 experts to several member companies upon their request.

   Cooperation Between the AUCBM and Arab & International Organizations:           These organizations and unions are:

• General Secretariat of the Arab League

• Council of Arab Economic Unity

• Arab specific unions

• Arab organizations

• Councils of Arab ministers of industry, housing and environment

• Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)

• Arab research centers

• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

• United Nations Environment Organization (UNEP)

• ESCWA

• Habitat

• European, Asian, African, and American Unions

• Islamic Union for Cement