Displaying items by tag: Government

Kyrgyzstan: Commissioning of the Kemin cement plant in Chuy region has been delayed due to electricity supply issues. Members of parliament have been discussing the delayed opening of the plant, according to the Central Asia News agency. The Chinese-backed plant project held its ground-breaking ceremony in mid-2014. It had an investment of US$120m. The unit has reportedly been built but it cannot be commissioned due to technical issues relating to its electricity supply, despite being situation close to the Datka Kemin power station. A working group was created in December 2018 to work with investors to solve the problems.

The Gambia: The government has introduced a 5% import tariff on cement imports from Senegal. The new tax was issues to the Gambia Revenue Authority in November 2018 for enforcement from the start of 2019, according to Foroyaa news website. Local cement dealers have complained about the new tax, saying that local production is unable to meet demand. They have urged the government to reconsider its policy.

Sri Lanka: An unnamed Chinese cement producer plans to build a new cement plant at the Hambantota Export Processing Zone. Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara said that this is the first time a Chinese cement company has entered the local market directly. Land allocation environment assessments for the project have been completed. The Chinese company will source 40% of raw material locally and this figure is intended to increase gradually. Production at the site is scheduled to start in May 2020.

Tunisia: Al Karama Holding says that that sale of a 50.5% share in Carthage Cement has been delayed following the latest round of bidding. The latest round of bids was extended to 7 December 2018 from 6 July 2018, according to local media. However, none of the pre-selected bidders were able to submit a qualifying financial offer. Some of the investors have contacted Al Karama Holding to confirm their interest in the purchase subject to certain conditions.

Uganda: The local government has allocated more than 228 hectares of land for the construction of a new cement plant. The land was offered to the Uganda Development Cooperation-UDC and its partners TSAVO Engineers and Savanna Mines in November 2018, according to the Ugandan Independent newspaper. However, the local community has expressed concerns about the project.

Bangladesh/Saudi Arabia: Tabuk Cement is in talks with the government of Bangladesh to export clinker to the country. The company’s clinker inventory will decrease by 1.2Mt once the arrangement is completed, according to Mubasher. The proceeds of the deal will be recorded in the company’s financial statement for the first quarter of 2019.

Philippines: A shortage of cement is causing delays to infrastructure projects in parts of Pangasinan province. Department of Public Works and Highways Pangasinan 3 District Engineer Gerardo de Guzman said that the region's cement manufacturer Northern Cement was not producing enough cement to support the region, according to the Manila Bulletin newspaper. Cement is being rationed as a result.

Thailand: Uttama Savanayana, the Industry Minister, has ordered agencies under the ministry’s control to set tighter dust emission standards for factories in Bangkok. He also intends to set up a working group to look at the issue, according to the Bangkok Post newspaper. Savanayana wants factories around the country, including cement plants, to be inspected. Legal action has been recommended for any sites that are exceeding the legal limits.

Uruguay: The union at state-owned oil firm Administración Nacional de Combustibles, Alcoholes y Portland (ANCAP), has supported government plans for the state to buy locally made cement. Under the proposal, half of the government’s requirements for cement would have to come from ANCAP, according to the El Pais newspaper. The initiative is intended to support local industry and jobs.

China: Miao Wei, the minister of industry and information technology, says that the government will ‘strictly prohibit’ the production capacity of new cement plants. The ban will also apply to the iron, steel and glass industries, according to Reuters and Xinhua. This latest ban will add to capacity restrictions already imposed upon the cement industry in 2018.