Oman is on track to being crowned as the world's largest exporter of gypsum by 2018 on the back of surging output that underscores the immense potential there. Exports are projected to surpass 10 mn tonnes per annum in 2018, up from 5.85 mn tonnes at the end of 2015 - industry experts say this will position the Sultanate as the major global supplier of gypsum in the coming years. Oman's growing prominence as an exporter of gypsum - a basic raw material for cement and gypsum board manufacturing - comes against a backdrop of soaring demand from a number of Asian, African nations. At the same time, major suppliers, notably Thailand, are faced with limited reserves and are drastically cutting down exports to feed their own domestic industries. (Oman Observer)