Cement industry requires bulky and heavy raw materials like limestone, silica, alumina and gypsum. Heavy costs are involved in the haulage of the raw materials. Hence, economically, the ideal location for cement factories are near the sources of raw materials. Apart from raw materials, coal and electric power is needed to provide energy for working of the plants. Nearness to rail transportation for supplying the bulky, finished products to the market is another important locational factor. The cement industry has strategically located plants in Gujarat that have suitable access to the market in the Gulf countries. Dwarka, Porbandar, Veraval, Sikka and Bhavnagar, where cement factories are set up in this state, lie along the coast. This facilitates the export of cement to the Gulf countries in the west. Decontrol of price and distribution since 1989 and some other policy reforms led the cement industry to make rapid strides in capacity, process, technology and production. As a result, now there are 128 large cement plants and 332 mini cement plants in India, producing a variety of cement. Improvement in the quality has provided the cement industry a ready market in East Asia, Middle East and Africa along with the large demand in the domestic market. The industry is doing well in terms of production. Its export is providing the country with substantial foreign exchange.