Displaying items by tag: lobbying

South Africa: Research carried out by Beton-Lab on the instigation off PPC has revealed a widespread flouting of cement quality regulations, with the majority of samples overweight or underweight and of inconsistent quality. Beton-Lab tested 14 products from 10 different producers. Cape Times has suggested that the results are due to the addition of fly ash and slag to finished cement as a common practice amongst producers.

In August 2019, PPC and other South African producers lobbied the government International Trade Administration Commission for a tightening of cement standards in response to a perceived compromise on quality by importers, whose 4.6% stake in the market grew by 293% year-on-year in July 2019.

Belgium: The European Cement Association Cembureau has joined 92 other European associations in lobbying the European Council to prioritise research, development and innovation in its Multiannual Financial Framework for the Institutions for 2021 to 2027. It called on the Council to raise the Horizon Europe project’s budget to at least Euro120bn, with a minimum of 60% dedicated to the ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ pillar. Cembureau emphasised the importance that Horizon Europe should have the money to realise its promises of boosting growth, securing technological leadership and scaling up 21^st century technologies ‘at this pivotal time.’

Spain: The Association of Cement Manufacturers of Andalusia (AFCA) has lobbied the Regional Government of Andalusia to invest more in infrastructure projects. At a meeting the cement producers asked the local government to support the sector, according to Europa Press. The region’s consumption of cement grew by 8.5% year-on-year to 2.5Mt in 2018 but it is still at a historically low level. Exports fell by 30% to 1.6Mt in 2018 due to rising costs associated with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and high local electricity costs.

Taiwan: Asia Cement’s union has taken out advertisements in major local newspapers protesting against a ruling by the Taipei High Administrative Court blocking its right to operate a cement quarry located in the Taroko National Park. It says that the cement producer applied for the permit extension in line with the Mining Act in 2016, according to the Taipei Times newspaper. It added that the court’s decision could negatively affect industrial operations, labour rights as well as the government’s credibility for boosting the economy. Environmental groups have called on the company to negotiate with local people living near the quarry.

Nigeria: Oyebamiji Dauda, the chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers’ Association, has urged the government to cut the price of cement. He wants it to make cement manufacturing more competitive by allowing more producers to operate in the market, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. He added that the ‘high’ cost of cement was negatively affecting building construction. Dauda’s ideas to ease the price of cement include government subsidy, tax breaks for local producers of building materials and further penalties for imported products.

Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) is lobbying the government against a recent fumigation levy of US$0.50/t on imported clinker by the Ministry of Health. At a recent meeting the association discussed this tax and others negatively affected the cement sector, according to the Business and Financial Times newspaper. It is also unhappy about more longstanding charges, including a VAT restructuring levy of 5%, and a 2% special tax as well as a new 11% electricity tariff and a proposed increase in the cost of a certification licence from the Ghana Standards Authority and impending. CMAG is also complaining to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority about imports.

Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Cement Manufacturers Association (BCMA) says a new import tax on raw materials and a distribution levy will increase the price of cement and place a burden on the construction industry. The new duties will add 8% to the existing 15% of value-added tax (VAT) already liable on raw materials, according to the Daily Sun newspaper. The association is lobbying against the government’s proposed budget for 2019 – 2020. It has described the new budget as business friendly but not favourable for the cement sector. Any additional taxes are also expected to worsen the effect of growing international prices of raw materials.

Philippines: The Philippine Cement Importers Association (PCIA) has refuted the claims of local cement manufacturers that an increase in cement imports has caused ‘serious injury’ to their operations. In a position paper submitted to the Tariff Commission on the imposition of safeguard measures on imported cement, the PCIA said that some local producers were reporting continued profits despite the level of imports, according to the Manila Bulletin newspaper. It also denied accusations that cement imports were absorbing 17.2% of local production and 14.2% of total market demand.

"We have a domestic cement industry that is robust and resilient amid the import surge, and already competitive against imports,'' said the PCIA. "The 2013 to 2017 results of operations of the domestic cement industry showed its ability to compete with cement imports. Despite the surge of imports during the period of investigation (2013 - 2017), the domestic industry continued to exhibit improving revenues and continuing profitability." It finished by saying that the Philippine cement industry was globally competitive and did not require any structural adjustment.

US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and other trade associations from the concrete and steel sector have urged that Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, review the use of government funds on projects that use wood as a building material. The American Concrete Pumping Association, American Institute of Steel Construction, American Iron and Steel Institute, California Construction and Industrial Materials Association, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, National Concrete Masonry Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Oregon Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association, Steel Framing Industry Association, Steel Manufacturers Association and the PCA expressed disappointment that the Department of Agriculture had awarded over US$8.9m for 29 projects designed to expand markets for wood products, particularly mass timber, for building construction.

The industry associations acknowledged the increase in cross laminated timber (CLT) projects in the US but they said they were concerned about the use of CLT on a large scale. They said that the grants unfairly promoted one building material at the expense of another.

India: The Builders Association of India (BAI) has called for the creation of a regulatory body to control the price of cement. Sachin Chandra, the president of BAI, called on the newly elected Indian government to set up the organisation, according to the Hindu newspaper. He alleged that the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP), the Competition Commission of India and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal had ‘repeatedly’ found evidence of anti-competitive behaviour in the cement industry.