CHINA: Shuanji Cement, Ltd. (CSGJ.OB) Opens New Plant

China Shuanji Cement, Ltd., a manufacturer of cement in the Shandong and Hainan provinces of China, announced that it has opened its newest one million metric ton cement plant in Zhaoyuan City. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by the Zhaoyuan City mayor, as well as employees and representatives of China Shuangji, in addition to customers, suppliers, and other industry members.

China Shuangji, a producer of Portland cement, currently manufactures 1,500,000 tons annually from its two facilities in Hainan, and one in Shandong. Once the newest Zhaoyuan City plant, located with direct access to a new highway, reaches full operating capacity, it is expected that it will increase the overall cement output of the company to 2,500,000 metric tons per year. With access to the new highway, there is a direct route to many of China Shuanji’s customers as well as nearby ports. These developments will lead to an expected 66% increase in profits.

The new factory, equipped with modern production lines and new testing equipment, will be providing cement that will be primarily used by contractors for the construction of buildings, roads, and assorted infrastructure projects.

“On behalf of China Shuangji Cement’s shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers, I would like to thank Mayor Wei Zhang and Party Secretary Shaoning Xu and all the other local government representatives who helped make completion of this project a reality. I would also like to especially thank Mr. Jiping Wen, the individual investor who loaned us $3.7 million to complete our purchases and installations of state-of-the-art cement manufacturing equipment,” said Mr. Wenji Song, Chairman and President of China Shuangji Cement, Ltd. “The Chinese economy is growing rapidly and spending on new construction and infrastructure projects are increasing the need for cement. Opening our new modern cement facility better positions us to benefit from this trend and is a key step in our strategy to become a major cement player in China and the leading supplier of high-grade bulk cement in both Shandong and Hainan provinces.”

“Zhaoyuan City is pleased to have been able to assist China Shuangji with this project,” said Wei Zhang, Mayor of Zhaoyuan City. ”China Shuangji is a valued and trusted partner in our community and the opening of its new cement facility is truly a win-win for all parties involved.”

INDIA: Dalmia Bharat to invest Rs 2500 crore for 2 cement units

Dalmia Bharat Enterprises will invest Rs 2500 crore to set up two cement plants of 2.5 million tonnes each in about two-and-a-half years, a top official said on Friday.

The plants will be set up in Karnataka and Meghalaya, Puneet Dalmia, managing director, told reuters by telephone.

Formed following its demerger in September from the listed Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, Dalmia Bharat Enterprise Ltd will be listed by December 15, Dalmia said.

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) has been renamed Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Ltd since the demerger and houses sugar business, while Dalmia Bharat Enterprise holds cement and power businesses.

"Given that the short term is a little turbulent, I think this industry requires patient capital and with KKR deal and partnership, we have deep pockets and we have patient capital," Dalmia said.

He expects India's fast-paced growth to drive cement consumption in the long term.

Private equity firm KKR had announced in May that it would invest up to 7.5 billion rupees in Dalmia's cement business.

Dalmia said the expansion will be funded through 70% debt and 30% equity and the company has already acquired land and obtained mining leases and environmental clearance for the two plants.

The expansion is part of the company's plan to add 10 million tonnes capacity announced before the global downturn in 2008 that slowed corporate India's expansion as funds became scarce and expensive.

Dalmia said plans for adding another 5 million tonnes will be announced "shortly".

At present, Dalmia Bharat Enterprises operates 9 million tonne cement plants and also owns 45.4% in group company OCL that has a cement capacity of 5.3 million tonnes.

Dalmia said cement prices fell by about Rs 5 a 50-kg bag in November and longer spell of rains this year has kept demand sluggish.

Demand should be better in Jan-March and prices may hold or improve, he said.

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Abia commences work on cement factory

ABIA State government has commenced work on a cement factory that is expected to produce about 5 million metric tons of cement yearly, saying the factory will take off soon.

Located in Arochukwu Local Government Area, the project is jointly owned by the government and Hermes Juno, a foreign company. The project is expected to provide employment and increase revenue for the state.

Inspecting the progress of work at the site, weekend, the Acting Chief of staff to Abia State governor, Mr. Nkwachukwu Agomoh, assured the contractor handling the factory that it was committed to realizing the project.

According to Nkwachukwu, government will strive to eliminate all bottlenecks that may hinder the early completion of the project.

Nkwachukwu commended the host community for donating their land for the project, adding that the administration was committed to ensuring that youths of the state were gainfully employed.

Earlier in his speech, while receiving the Acting Chief of Staff in his palace, the traditional ruler of Isu, Eze Ogbonnaya Eze, thanked the governor for his effort at realizing the project as well as his choice of their son as the secretary to the state government and pledged their support for his government.

He appealed to the government to include the Ututu –Isu road now in a dilapidated state in next year’s budget for rehabilitation.

In his own remarks, the chairman of the board of the Hermes Juno, Dr. Nkemka Jumbo Offor said production in the factory will commence in the one and half years. Equipment for the factory will start arriving from next January.

Offor disclosed that installation of equipment will take about 9 months and that the factory will have a turnover of $ 80 billion while $ 4 million per annum.

He thanked the governor for his inputs towards the realization of the project and appealed to the federal government to construct the federal road leading to the area.

ESPAÑA: Firman el convenio del cemento de Cáceres con subida salarial de 1,4%

La comisión paritaria del convenio colectivo del sector del cemento en la provincia de Cáceres ha firmado hoy la tabla salarial del 2009, para dar cumplimiento a la sentencia del Tribunal Supremo, así como la correspondiente al presente año 2010, con un incremento salarial del 1,4 por ciento.

La subida salarial correspondiente a este año estaba pendiente hasta el pronunciamiento del alto tribunal, que ha dado la razón a MCA-UGT Extremadura, según ha informado este sindicato en un comunicado remitido a Efe.

El incremento tiene efectos retroactivos desde el 1 de enero de 2010, razón por la que las empresas estarán obligadas a abonar los atrasos correspondientes una vez publicado el acuerdo en el Diario Oficial de Extremadura.

Por otra parte, la comisión paritaria ha firmado el calendario laboral para el año 2011, adaptado a la jornada máxima anual a la establecida en el convenio colectivo de 1.736 horas, con nueve días festivos.

BRASIL: Prorrogado benefício fiscal para materiais de construção

O ministro da Fazenda, Guido Mantega, que será mantido no cargo no governo da presidente Dilma Rousseff, confirmou ontem que o governo federal vai manter a desoneração do Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados (IPI) para 45 tipos de materiais de construção até dezembro de 2011. Com a medida, produtos como cimentos, tintas, chuveiros, argamassas, pias e fechaduras continuarão a pesar menos no bolso do consumidor. 

O anúncio foi feito na manhã de ontem, durante o ContruBusiness 2010, realizado em São Paulo. De acordo com o ministro, ao estender a redução do imposto, o governo reforça o incentivo ao setor de construção, iniciado em abril de 2009. 

— O crescimento do setor de construção é um dos principais motores do crescimento do Brasil por ser este o setor que mais gera empregos formais, atende uma necessidade da população, que é carente de habitação, e contribui para a formação de capital fixo para investimento — afirmou o ministro. 

Mais produtos Apesar da boa notícia, a indústria da construção pediu a Mantega o aumento da lista de materiais com desconto de IPI. 

— A ideia é que todos os materiais sejam incluídos na lista. A intenção não é só ampliar a lista, mas ter IPI zero para todos itens, pelo menos até o fim de 2011 — disse o presidente da Associação Brasileira da Indústria de materiais de Construção (Abramat), Melvyn Fox, à agência de notícias Reuters. 

Segundo uma pesquisa da Associação dos Comerciantes de Material de Construção (Anamaco), um ano após a medida, completado em abril de 2010, o preço dos materiais desonerados pelo governo havia caído cerca de 8,5%.

BRASIL: BNDES financia projeto que transforma lixo em combustível em SP

SÃO PAULO - O Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico Social (BNDES) aprovou financiamento de R$ 33,9 milhões para investimentos da Estre Ambiental, empresa nacional de gestão de resíduos sólidos e tratamento de áreas degradadas.

Os recursos serão usados na implantação de uma unidade de processamento de resíduos, com capacidade de produção de 450 toneladas anuais de combustível derivado de resíduos (CDR). O CDR é um combustível em forma de flocos que pode ser usado na alimentação de caldeiras e fornos industriais.

Esta é a primeira vez que o BNDES financia um projeto na área de resíduos sólidos para transformação de lixo urbano em energia.

O projeto da Estre prevê a expansão dos aterros sanitários de Itapevi e Paulínia, no Estado de São Paulo, a captação de biogás com geração de crédito de carbono e a produção de combustível derivado de resíduo sólido.

A Estreo ampliará sua capacidade de destinação dos resíduos sólidos urbanos das regiões metropolitanas de São Paulo e de Campinas e aumentará a captação de gás metano nos aterros sanitários.

Os resíduos domiciliares e industriais serão reciclados, reaproveitados e transformados em insumo energético em outro processo produtivo, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento sustentável da região, destaca o BNDES.

O principal mercado do CDR serão as usinas de cana-de-açúcar que operam próximo à região do projeto, bem como o coprocessamento em fornos de cimento. Atualmente, as usinas sucroalcooleiras usam bagaço de cana, enquanto as cimenteiras utilizam coque para aumento do poder calorífico de seus fornos. No entanto, o cultivo da cana é sazonal, fazendo com que haja grande variação no seu fornecimento ao longo do ano.

O CDR é produzido durante todo o ano, podendo, inclusive, ser estocado, o que permitirá um ganho de eficiência permanente dos fornos. Além disso, o potencial calorífico do CDR é superior ao do bagaço de cana. O coque, por sua vez, tem custo superior ao CDR, observa o BNDES, em nota.

O banco começou a atuar no setor de resíduos sólidos em 2002. Hoje, a carteira do Banco soma R$ 780 milhões de financiamentos aprovados para o setor de gestão de resíduos sólidos, entre operações diretas e indiretas.

SANTO DOMINGO: Pronostican un 2011 difícil para sector contrucción

Ante el aumento del precio de los combustibles y de la energía eléctrica, representantes de cuatro organizaciones del sector construcción pronosticaron un 2011 difícil y tenebroso para la industria “de la varilla”, el block y el cemento.

Directivos de la Adocem (Asociación de Productores de Cemento); de Acoprovi (Asociación de Constructores y Promotores de Vivienda); de Asodefe (Asociación de Ferreteros) y la AEI (Asociación de Empresas Inmobiliaria); concluyeron que ambos insumos son primordiales para la construcción y tienen un impacto directo en el costo de las viviendas y en la oferta de ellas.

Julissa Báez, directora ejecutiva de la Adocem, explicó que para el año próximo los cementeros no prevén ningún tipo de crecimiento, aunque una leve recuperación empezó a sentirse a principios de este año.

“Desde el 2006 se experimenta una caída. En el 2010 creció 4% -que no es nada del otro mundo- pero para el 2011 el crecimiento pronosticado es de 0%”, declaró.

En base a su experiencia de corredor inmobiliario, Pedro Dipp, presidente de la AEI, indicó que los incrementos al final del día los pagará los consumidores, lo que se traduce en que menos personas de clase media y popular puedan acceder a una vivienda.

Sugirió que el gobierno elimine transitoriamente varios impuestos, entre ellos el de transferencia de bienes y el de hipotecas, de manera que el valor de los inmuebles sea más accesible a los compradores.

“No es que lo exoneren totalmente, sino que lo hagan hasta un límite que puede ser los RD$ 4 ó RD$5 millones de pesos”, apuntó. Ferreteros y constructores José Liz, vicepresidente de la Asodefe, corroboró la idea de un panorama oscuro y agregó que muy probablemente los precios aumentarían.

“La construcción podría caer más. La crisis en el sector probablemente se agudice más también, aunque las autoridades dicen que los números han subido el que dice eso no sabe del sector porque las pequeñas construcciones están paralizadas”, enfatizó Jaime González, de la Acoprovi.

ENERGÍA ELÉCTRICA Y COMBUSTIBLES SUBEN

Desde la primera semana del 2010 hasta el viernes pasado, los precios de los principales combustibles y derivados del petróleo han aumentado en cerca de un 12.5%, revela un análisis de las estadísticas del Ministerio de Industria y Comercio. Igual, a partir del miércoles primero de diciembre, una resolución de la Superintendencia de Electricidad dispuso un aumento de la tarifa eléctrica en 11%

INDIA: Cement prices have seen a fresh drop in several parts of the country, led by the southern region. Chennai, which had seen price cuts two weeks ago after the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s intervention, has seen fresh cuts of Rs10-15 per 50 kg bag. The new prices are at Rs260-265 per bag for retail and Rs220-225 per bag for wholesale buyers. “The demand is not too high and the ministry is too sceptical of an increase in prices. Also, rains are acting as a dampener in the region,” a Chennai-based dealer said. In Mumbai, prices have dropped marginally by Rs3-4 per bag, thus for the region where Octroi is charged grade A cement has dropped to Rs256-258 for retail buyers and Rs246-248 for Grade B players. For buyers in the non-Octroi region like Bhayander and Mira Road, prices in both the grades are Rs7 lesser. Even in the eastern region, prices have taken a knock, with Kolkata seeing a reduction of Rs10 per bag in the last 4-6 days. The drop was led by Ambuja Cements and followed by all the major A grade players such as Lafarge, ACC, UltraTech. Currently, prices are down at Rs264-265 for wholesale buyers and Rs270 for retail. Andhra Pradesh, on the other hand, has seen a choppy trend. Prices have fallen by as much as Rs10 per bag in some parts of the state even as Hyderabad city has seen an uptick of Rs5 per bag, with retail prices going up to Rs 248 per bag for grade A and Rs 240-243 for grade B. In the wholesale segment, grade A is commanding Rs243 per bag and Grade B Rs 235-237 per bag. “The companies are saying that the wholesalers should sell at the invoice receipt that the manufacturers are selling at and not less than that. But the truth is that the demand is not high and the inventory with the dealers and stockists is also not high,” said a Hyderabad-based dealer. Rupesh sankhe, research analyst from Angel Broking, said, “AP is flat and in fact declining by Rs5-10 per 50 kg bag with retail pricing at Rs 220 per bag and wholesale for Rs210.” A major reason for the fresh drop in prices is oversupply in the southern market, while the western region is faced with a surge in incremental supply, which some feel could cause prices to drop further. However, a senior member of the Cement Stockists and Dealers Association in Mumbai said, “Cement prices have fallen just yesterday. Even though there is incremental supply which is coming in from South, first further price correction in southern markets will take place and then it will happen in Mumbai.” “The companies have indicated that prices can fall further and we should be ready for it, though they did not indicate the timeline. At present, the demand is very low from both the construction and housing segments.”

CHANDRAPUR: ACC limited, the oldest cement industry in the district, has finally closed its age old plant in Ghugus MIDC area following directives from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The board had asked the company to shut down its old plant by November 30 for repeated violation of pollution standards. 

The ACC cement plant with 0.9 million ton per annum production capacity was commissioned in 1976. The plant was under the MPCB scanner since last year, as a CPCB report had declared Ghugus area in critically polluted category and put the entire industrial cluster in Chandrapur at fourth place on national pollution index. 

Surveys carried out by field officers of MPCB's regional office at Chandrapur had found emissions from the plant were in grave violation of the pollution standards. Following such non-compliance with norms, MPCB had forfeited a bank guarantee of the company worth Rs 1 lakh in March this year. The board forfeited another bank guarantee worth Rs 5 lakh in August this year. 

During hearings at MPCB office in Chandrapur over the violation of pollution standards, the representative of the company claimed that they are all set to commission a new plant with capacity of 2.46 million ton per year in next 2-3 months and the old plant would be stopped altogether on the commissioning of new one. 

The company maintained that the pollution load will be substantially reduced due to state of art technology adopted in new plant. Still, MPCB regional office here had directed the plant management to close its old plant by November 30. Following the directives, the company closed its plant in Ghugus on Tuesday last. 

MPCB field officer AN Katole confirmed the closure of the old ACC plant. "We have verified that the company has closed its old plant in Ghugus MIDC during inspection on Wednesday. However, they have sought an extension for running the old plant from the MPCB head office and final decision would be taken by higher ups," said Katole. 

Samuel Sunder, the complainant against ACC from village Nakoda, however maintained that even though the plant is closed, the noise pollution created by the old 15MW power plant is causing grave disturbance to the residential locality within 50 metre of the plant. While the existing noise level is in violation of standards, the company has installed another 25MW power plant in its premises. 

Commissioning of this new power plant would bring more noise pollution for the people in Nakoda, he alleged. Katole agreed that the noise level in Nakoda is 63 dBA as against 55 dBA standards for residential areas and commissioning of new power plant of ACC would add to the voice pollution. 

Chandrapur, Dec 2: The Naxalites have once again resorted to violence and arson with the initiation of the PLGA week celebrated between December 2 and 7 in Gadchiroli district. A band of Naxalites burnt a road-roller deployed on the road widening work on Etapalli-Gutta road in the night of Wednesday. Sources claimed that around 100 Naxalites came to the work site in the night and set ablaze the road-roller owned by contractor Sanjay Khedekar from Etapalli.

INDIA: Cement prices re-start downward roll

Cement prices have seen a fresh drop in several parts of the country, led by the southern region.

Chennai, which had seen price cuts two weeks ago after the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s intervention, has seen fresh cuts of Rs10-15 per 50 kg bag. The new prices are at Rs260-265 per bag for retail and Rs220-225 per bag for wholesale buyers.

“The demand is not too high and the ministry is too sceptical of an increase in prices. Also, rains are acting as a dampener in the region,” a Chennai-based dealer said.

In Mumbai, prices have dropped marginally by Rs3-4 per bag, thus for the region where Octroi is charged grade A cement has dropped to Rs256-258 for retail buyers and Rs246-248 for Grade B players. For buyers in the non-Octroi region like Bhayander and Mira Road, prices in both the grades are Rs7 lesser.

Even in the eastern region, prices have taken a knock, with Kolkata seeing a reduction of Rs10 per bag in the last 4-6 days. The drop was led by Ambuja Cements and followed by all the major A grade players such as Lafarge, ACC, UltraTech. Currently, prices are down at Rs264-265 for wholesale buyers and Rs270 for retail.

Andhra Pradesh, on the other hand, has seen a choppy trend. Prices have fallen by as much as Rs10 per bag in some parts of the state even as Hyderabad city has seen an uptick of Rs5 per bag, with retail prices going up to Rs 248 per bag for grade A and Rs 240-243 for grade B.

In the wholesale segment, grade A is commanding Rs243 per bag and Grade B Rs 235-237 per bag.

“The companies are saying that the wholesalers should sell at the invoice receipt that the manufacturers are selling at and not less than that. But the truth is that the demand is not high and the inventory with the dealers and stockists is also not high,” said a Hyderabad-based dealer.

Rupesh sankhe, research analyst from Angel Broking, said, “AP is flat and in fact declining by Rs5-10 per 50 kg bag with retail pricing at Rs 220 per bag and wholesale for Rs210.”

A major reason for the fresh drop in prices is oversupply in the southern market, while the western region is faced with a surge in incremental supply, which some feel could cause prices to drop further.

However, a senior member of the Cement Stockists and Dealers Association in Mumbai said, “Cement prices have fallen just yesterday. Even though there is incremental supply which is coming in from South, first further price correction in southern markets will take place and then it will happen in Mumbai.”

“The companies have indicated that prices can fall further and we should be ready for it, though they did not indicate the timeline. At present, the demand is very low from both the construction and housing segments.”

CHINA: New entry criteria for cement industry

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIT) announced the entry criteria for the cement industry on Nov 30.

The entry criteria declared that the production line of cement clinker must adopt a new dry process method. The production scale of cement clinker is required to reach 4,000 tons per line each day. For underdeveloped areas that lack transport facilities and market capacities, the scale requirement is at least 2,000 tons per line each day, the newspaper reported.

The investment proportion of capital funds for the building, rebuilding, expanding and moving of cement clinker projects requires at least 35 percent of self-possessed fund.

According to the entry criteria, production projects that fail to meet these standards must not be approved by competent authorities, the newspaper said.

The entry criteria will be implemented on January 1, 2011, according to the report.

AFRICA: KENIA: Kenyan Cement makers may raise prices on coal costs

Kenyan cement manufacturers may increase prices as they brace themselves for reduced margins amid higher costs for coal,citing Shah Miti, the managing director of Mombasa Cement.

Coal prices have risen to a two-year high of $107 per etric ton, from $89 per ton in August, on growing demand from ountries including China, the Nairobi-based newspaper said.

BRASIL: Fábrica da Votorantim irá gerar mais de 500 empregos diretos a partir de janeiro

A fábrica de cimentos da Votorantim, que será instalada no distrito do Aguaçu, em Cuiabá, irá gerar mais de 500 empregos diretos, já a partir do mês de janeiro. São os profissionais que irão trabalhar nas obras da fábrica, prevista para entrar em funcionamento em julho de 2012. Serão 575 empregos para pedreiros, carpinteiros, eletricistas, montadores, mecânicos e soldadores, entre outras áreas da construção civil.

Para a contratação dos profissionais, a Votorantim mantém inscrições abertas. Os interessados passarão por um processo de seleção e receberão cursos de capacitação, com duração de dois a quatro meses. As inscrições podem ser feitas nas sedes das subprefeituras dos distritos do Aguaçu e da Guia. Nesta primeira fase, exige-se que o interessado tenha acima de 18 anos e o 4º Ano do Ensino Fundamental, para ambos os sexos.

Já quando a fábrica entrar em funcionamento, serão 650 empregos diretos. Para trabalhar na fábrica, a Votorantim oferecerá novos cursos, estes já destinados a trabalhadores que tenham concluído o ensino médio. A Votorantim dará preferência aos moradores do entorno da fábrica, especialmente aqueles que residam nos distritos do Aguaçu e da Guia.

A nova fábrica de cimento da Votorantim será instalada em uma área de 1,850 mil hectares e a sede da empresa ficará a 18 quilômetros da sede do Distrito do Aguaçu. A previsão é que a fábrica seja inaugurada em julho de 2012 com capacidade de produzir 1,2 milhão de toneladas de cimento por mês.

PORTUGAL: Cimpor Extends Maturity Of Debt, Adds Credit Lines

-Portugal's Cimentos de Portugal SGPS SA (CPR.LB) said Thursday it had extended the maturity of its debt by almost two years through several financing deals with a slew of banks.

The transactions included a EUR320 million syndicated loan agreed with BNP Paribas SA (BNP.FR), Caixa Geral de Depositos, ING Groep NV (ING) and Societe Generale SA (SCGLY) that will serve as an alternative to an existing eurobond market loan.

It also set up a EUR150 million credit facility with Citigroup Inc. (C) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (RBS.LN), EUR110 million club deal with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA.MC) and ING, while Banco Santander SA (SAN.MC) committed to underwrite EUR100 million in commercial paper for three years.

Finally, it is extending to $200 million an already announced private placement.

PARAGUAY: Paraguay importaría cemento portugués

El déficit de esta materia pone en riesgo la construcción de obras y con ello el pago de aguinaldos a fin de año.

Con el objetivo de disminuir el déficit de producción que presenta la industriaparaguaya, la Cámara Paraguaya de la Construcción (Capaco) estudia importarcemento portland desde Portugal.

Ana Porro, presidenta de la Capaco, declaró que es posible que las obras se atrasen y “se corte la cadena de pagos justo en tiempo de aguinaldos y fin de año”.

Apuntó que el panorama actual no es nada alentador, que no se está consiguiendo excedentes de cemento portland en Argentina, donde empresas también están recurriendo a importaciones de Uruguay en considerable cantidad.

“Tampoco podemos conseguir en Brasil, donde ya empiezan a lanzar importantes obras de construcción mirando el Mundial de fútbol del año 2014, y Bolivia no tiene excedentes para exportar, de ahí que miremos mercados más lejanos, como Portugal”, explicó Porro.

Desde hace más de un año que la estatal Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC) está produciendo en menor escala que la necesaria para cubrir toda la demanda interna de ese material esencial.

La planta cementera debería producir entre 30 mil a 35 mil bolsas de 50 kilogramos por día para cubrir las necesidades del sector constructor de Paraguay, pero sólo está sacando entre 10 mil y 15 mil bolsas de 50 kilogramos por día, según datos oficiales.

“Así como están las cosas, no hay cemento en el país ni en los países vecinos del Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur), tan sólo podremos traer de extrazona, sería de Portugal, pero se necesita algún decreto presidencial que minimice algunas exigencias”, expuso.

Mencionó que depende del Poder Ejecutivo que se reduzcan los requerimientos legales para la importación, por ejemplo disminuir los pasos en materia aduanera, pero manteniendo las pautas de calidad que figuran en las normativas vigentes.

VIETNAM: 700.000 tonnes of clinker and cement expected to be exported

The cement sector is expected to export some 700,000 tonnes of clinker and cement in 2010, according to the Construction Ministry.

However, this is a very small part of the total amount of cement in stock in Vietnam, which is estimated to be 3.5 million tonnes in the year.

According to experts, cement is a comparatively low-value product and is difficult to store; moreover there is a lack of ports and vehicles to transport the product, as a result, the exporting of cement encounters many difficulties.

At this point, the Ministry urges cement producers which are joint ventures between Vietnamese and foreign partners to continuously boost exports of their products as they have committed to do.

AFRICA: NAIROBI: Bamburi to Invest Sh10 Billion in Expansion

French conglomerate Lafarge, it seems, is here to stay as far as its shareholding in East African Portland is concerned, at least for the foreseeable future.

The company, which owns Bamburi but holds stakes in its rivals in Kenya, says it will decide its fate in Portland after privatisation which, as things stand, appears long in coming.

Lafarge holds 41.7 per cent stake in Portland, while the government has controlling stake of 25.3 per cent and through a 27 per cent held by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Bamburi last year diluted its 15 per cent stake in Athi River Mining in what was said to be a culmination of a boardroom war, but Lafarge chairman and chief executive officer Bruno Lafont rules out any divestiture soon.

"We are waiting the for the government's decision on privatisation of EAPC. That's what will determine our decision on EAPC," Mr Lafont told Smart Company in an interview last week. "At the moment we are not in a divesting mood."

Lafarge has in the past pushed for the two Bamburi and EAPC to merge or partner in the local cement market, but met fierce opposition from EAPC.

Analysts predict Bamburi might want to grow its stake in EAPC when its privatised to get control of Portland's management.

The government currently calls the shots, with appointing authority for the managing director, an influential and yet highly politicised post. Just like other parastatals, Mr Lafont says, the trouble with EAPC is management.

"Bamburi or Lafarge doesn't have any role in day-to-day running of EAPC, which makes it difficult to know what is going on. These are some of the assets we have no control over," says Mr Lafont.

In its full-year 2009 results ending June 30, 2010, Portland reported Sh292m loss, citing rising production and administration costs. This compares with a profit of Sh1.8 billion in the same period a year earlier despite growing its revenues by Sh1.3 billion to Sh9.4 billion.

Former managing director John Nyambok left in June in a huff after he fell out with the board. Part of the turnaround strategy for EAPC is privatisation. Two weeks ago, Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey appointed Mr Kephar Tande as the new MD.

The cement market is tightening and the year ahead looks tough, with competitors focusing on price and value-addition. New entrants include National Cement and Mombasa Cement which are challenging the dominance of Bamburi, EAPC and Athi River Mining.

Devki Steel Mills Ltd's National Cement began operations early this month and new rival Mombasa Cement is building a huge clinker plant next to EAPC in Athi River.

The stiff competition has seen market shares change. Second-quarter statistics show that Bamburi's market declined from 62 per cent last year to 50 per cent, as EAPC increased from 18 per cent to 20 per cent.

Athi River Mining, which manufactures the Rhino brand, saw its market share remain steady at 10 per cent, while Mombasa Cement (Tororo), has seen its market share rise from 10 to 20 per cent.

"No one is a monopoly. This is a free market economy. Our goal is to be the best in the market," the Lafarge boss says, adding that to achieve this, it will seek to cut costs as it improves quality.

In the next five years, the group plans to boost capacity in Kenya, about a million tonnes from the current 2.5 million tonnes a year, to the tune of Sh10.7 billion (100 million euros).

"The increased competition is impacting temporarily on our market share, but those are just market forces. Things will change as we increase capacity," he says.

The biggest challenge for cement firms in Kenya is high production costs, especially energy. In Africa, Lafarge has invested in 15 countries, and Mr Lafont says the group has a strategy to invest 70 per cent in developing countries that show the highest potential for growth.

"There is huge opportunity for us to expand. We are witne-ssing changing demography, urbanisation and economic development," he said. He said consumption of cement per capita in Africa is still very low due to low gross domestic product in most of the countries. "Every country is unique with different opportunities and challenges," he added.

The East Africa Cement Association, the cement producers' lobby, estimates that surplus in the market will grow to 2.4 million tonnes in 2012 from the current 200,000 tonnes.

And analysts predict that going forward the market will remain more or less the same, except for the entry of National Cement (Devki Steel) which is likely to take up some market share from existing players.

According to the Central Bank of Kenya's latest Monthly Economic Survey for August 2010, cement production for the period January to July 2010 amounted to two million metric tonnes, 8.6 per cent growth from last year's 1.9 million metric tonnes.

BRASIL: PB será o maior produtor de cimento do Nordeste

Governador assina protocolo com o Grupo Brennand que assegura uma fábrica. Na 6ª feira, será assinado mais acordos que garantirão a implantação de mais três indústrias

A Paraíba vai se tornar o maior produtor de cimento da região Nordeste. Com incentivos do Governo do Estado, quatro empresas fabricantes de cimento vão se instalar aqui na Paraíba. Com as duas fábricas já existentes, serão seis indústrias neste setor. Juntos, os grupos empresariais estão investindo cerca de R$ 1,5 bilhão, e vão gerar mais de mil empregos.

Na próxima sexta-feira, dia 3 de dezembro, três fábricas assinarão com o Governo da Paraíba. Na manhã desta segunda-feira (29), no Palácio da Redenção, quem assinou o Protocolo de Intenções foi o Grupo Brennand Cimentos. Vai aplicar R$ 400 milhões na instalação da Companhia de Cimento da Paraíba - CCP, em Alhandra, empreendimento que vai gerar 170 postos de trabalho com investimentos de RS 373 milhões. O grupo vai implantar no mesmo município, a Mineração Nacional S/A, para produzir calcário. Esta fábrica vai gerar 46 empregos e os investimentos somam R$ 27 milhões.

O governador José Maranhão revelou que a Paraíba deve se manter neste ritmo de ações, que têm o compromisso forte com o social, gerando mais empregos e renda. "A Paraíba precisa continuar com essas políticas de desenvolvimento econômico, conquistando novos investimentos", declarou. Ele acrescentou que é motivo de satisfação assinar os protocolos que proporcionarão o crescimento da economia paraibana. Destacou que o Grupo Brennand, que tem unidades em diversos Estados, também zela pelas questões ambientais e este é um fator importante no processo de desenvolvimento de qualquer Estado. Maranhão ressaltou que Estado e empresas precisam dar as mãos, o Estado investe na infraestrutura para que os empresários possam investir aqui e gerar empregos.

O presidente do Grupo Brennand, Ricardo Coimbra Brennand Filho, afirmou que o interesse em atrair a empresa para a Paraíba, por parte do governador Maranhão, foi determinante. "Não conhecemos nenhum governo com essa determinação que nós encontramos aqui na Paraíba", destacou. O empresário afirmou ainda que o governador e sua equipe merecem os agradecimentos do Grupo Brennand e do Grupo Meira Lins, sócio no empreendimento. Agradeceu a confiança nos seus projetos e assegurou que a mão de obra da Paraíba será utilizada tanto na construção das instalações da fábrica quanto na produção de cimento quando tudo estiver em pleno funcionamento.

Os incentivos do Governo da Paraíba são através do Fundo de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Industrial da Paraíba - FAIN. O Grupo Brennand surgiu em 1917. A sede é em Recife, de onde conduz projetos em todo Brasil. Fabrica o cimento Portland e em 2000 criou a Brennand Energia, que tem hoje 13 hidrelétricas em operação comercial. O grupo também investe em energia eólica.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan to construct cement factory in Tajikistan

Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon yesterday met with the visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Rizo Geloni who arrived in Dushanbe to take part in a regular session of the Council of heads of governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states due in Dushanbe today, November 25.

The sides have discussed issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries, Tajikistan President’s press service told the AP.

President Rahmon noted that Tajik-Pakistani relations have achieved the peak of their development.

“It has been noted that the opening of a Lower Pyanj huge automobile bridge, the launch of the direct air communication between Dushanbe and Islamabad and a series of other cooperation opportunities create a solid basis for the development of bilateral relations,” press service has said.

According to the source, the sides welcomed Pakistan’s initiative to set up joint industrial enterprises in Tajikistan, including construction of a big cement factory and praised Pakistan’s willingness to participate in multiple projects in energy, industry, transport and communication sectors.

“The sides have expressed their interest in the implementation of CASA-1000 project on the construction of a 500MW power line from Tajikistan to Pakistan through the territory of Afghanistan. The sides noted they prioritize establishment of joint enterprises in such spheres as light and food industry, mining, processing of agricultural products, pharmaceutics and scientific and technical communication. Much attention was given to the development of regional cooperation, including cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Dushanbe Four that unites Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia,” the source added.

AFRICA: NAMIBIA: Commission’s decision a surprise

OHORONGO Cement was surprised by the decision of the Competition Commission last week to prohibit the merger of Ohorongo with AfriSam Namibia Cement. 

In a press release issued yesterday, Ohorongo Cement, Ms Kirsten Günzel, public relations officer of Ohorongo, said: “We were always under the impression that it was the wish of Namibians to have control over their own supply, distribution and selling of cement as described in our application. 

“The intended agreement between the parties is precedent in the Namibian history. 

“Namibian firms and service providers often struggle with foreign competition, especially from South Africa. Ohorongo wanted to show that Namibian firms can indeed successfully compete against international players. It was never our intention that AfriSam would distribute our products. 

“Ohorongo would have full control over the entire process and all management decisions. This understanding has also been clearly set out in the application documents.” 

The Competition Commission said last week that the merger of the companies was prohibited “on the grounds that the supply agreement can potentially lead to the prevention or lessening of competition of restrict trade or the provision of any service or to endanger the continuity of supplies or services in the cement market”. 

“The proposed merger has significant implications on the anti-competitive nature of the supply and pricing of cement in the Namibian Market,” the Commission found. 

“We are surprised that, if there would have been some misunderstanding, that this issue was not clarified with us beforehand, especially where there had been such close co-operation throughout this process,” Ms Günzel said regarding the supposed misunderstanding of the Commission of the intentions of Ohorongo. 

“We have not as yet made a decision how to proceed and will only decide after a detailed analysis of all the documents and circumstances have been completed and hope to clarify the situation shortly. In the meantime we wish to assure Namibia that we remain committed to producing, selling and marketing the finest quality cement at Africa’s most modern and environmental friendly cement plant near Otavi.” 

In its verdict the Commission said that Ohorongo Cement and AfriSam Cement can appeal its decision to the Minister of Trade and Industry.

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Southern Cement:Tihama Plant Expansion To Be Completed End '11

RIYADH (Zawya Dow Jones)--Southern Province Cement Co. (3050.SA), Saudi Arabia's biggest cement firm by market value, said Saturday its expansion project to add a second 5,000 tons per day cement clinker line at its third plant in Tihama will be completed by the end of 2011.

The new line will raise the total daily production at the Tihama plant to 10,000 tons to meet the expected growing demand from Jizan province, bordering Yemen, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Saturday, citing the firm's chief executive Safar Bin Mohammed Zafir.

It will also increase the total daily output of Southern Province Cement to 23,000 tons from 18,000 tons, Zafir added.

Earlier this year, the company said it signed a 552 million Saudi riyals ($147 million) contract with China's Sinoma International Engineering Co. (600970.SH) to add the second 5,000 tons per day cement clinker line at its third plant.

The company's shares last traded 2% higher at SAR64 Saturday in a broadly positive market.

ESPAÑA: La empresa Financiera y Minera duplica sus exportaciones durante 2010 y ronda el 16% del total facturado

La empresa Financiera y Minera (FYM) ha aumentado "notablemente" las exportaciones de sus productos durante 2010, ya que pasa de un ocho por ciento en 2009 a un 15,61 por ciento del total facturado, siendo los principales destinos países europeos y algunos de África, principalmente Gambia.

Desde principios de año y hasta agosto de 2010, la empresa ha facturado en torno a 63,7 millones de euros en Andalucía, región en la que la actividad productiva de la compañía supuso una menor facturación en 2009 con respecto al año anterior, concretamente cerró con 116 millones de euros, lo que representa una disminución del 35 por ciento en comparación con 2008.

No obstante, a pesar de este descenso durante el pasado año, el volumen del negocio en la región "sigue siendo significativo", pues representa más de la mitad del total nacional, un 59 por ciento de la facturación de FYM, lo cual "evidencia la importancia de la actividad productiva en la Comunidad", según han informado a Europa Press desde la compañía.

A nivel nacional, los ingresos de Financiera y Minera en 2009 supusieron una facturación de 227 millones de euros, lo que representa un descenso del 23 por ciento con respecto al año anterior, han apuntado. En este sentido, han subrayando que "la acusada crisis económica sigue afectando de manera más intensa a la construcción", prueba de ello es que el sector andaluz del cemento ha acumulado, entre 2006 y 2009, una caída del 60 por ciento de su producción.

"FUERTEMENTE" CONSOLIDADA

La empresa, en el mercado de cemento, es uno de los principales productores en Andalucía con una posición consolidada en la producción y comercialización de cemento, hormigones, áridos y morteros especiales, han aseverado, al tiempo que han explicado que en esta región cuenta con una plantilla de 340 trabajadores en los diferentes centros de trabajo, mayoritariamente en la provincia de Málaga.

En concreto, posee 22 centros de producción: una fábrica de cemento, que está ubicada en Málaga; cinco canteras destinadas a la extracción de áridos, situadas en Sevilla, Cádiz y Málaga; 15 centros de fabricación de hormigón y morteros, y uno logístico portuario. A ello, hay que añadir una fábrica de aditivos, que próximamente se abrirá en Villanueva del Trabuco (Málaga).

Además, la empresa que cuenta con un total de 800 empleados y es la filial de Italcementi Group, quinto productor de cemento en el mundo con presencia en 22 países de cuatro continentes, también posee centros de producción en las regiones de País Vasco, Cantabria y La Rioja.

CLAVES ESTRATÉGICAS

Las claves estratégicas de FYM giran en torno a sus dos ejes de funcionamiento: innovación y sostenibilidad, ya que la compañía apuesta por ofrecer un servicio integral a sus clientes que abarca desde una "amplia" oferta de productos innovadores en las aplicaciones de cemento --hormigones y morteros especiales-- y nuevos aditivos hasta asesoría y asistencia técnica para el diseño y desarrollo de soluciones constructivas para las nuevas necesidades de los clientes.

Así, la compañía ha trabajado en nuevos productos, destacando el lanzamiento de 'Percomen', compuesto indicado para reforzar el asfalto; 'Alispid Promt', cemento rápido para trabajos de reparación, sellado y fijación, o el cemento transparente 'i.light', un nuevo producto que permite la construcción de paneles independientes y compactos que dejan pasar la luz mediante la mezcla de resinas especiales.

Además, la firma apuesta por el uso racional de los recursos naturales, utilización de materiales alternativos, reducción y control de las emisiones a la atmósfera y una minimización del impacto ambiental mediante una "cuidadosa" gestión y restauración de canteras.

FÁBRICA DE LA ARAÑA

En este punto, han subrayado que en la fábrica de La Araña, en Málaga, se está realizando un proyecto denominado 'Plan Málaga', dotado con más de 100 millones de euros, destinado a mejorar y optimizar el funcionamiento, el rendimiento energético, así como su integración en el entorno.

Del mismo modo, ha destacado que la empresa mantiene acuerdos de colaboración con universidades andaluzas, como la Cátedra de Innovación de la Universidad de Málaga (UMA), destinados a la investigación y formación de profesionales andaluces.

Los productos de esta empresa se han utilizado en la ejecución de numerosas obras andaluzas. Así, se emplean en los trabajos del primer tramo de la Ronda de Circunvalación Oeste de Málaga o la terminal 3 del aeropuerto de la ciudad.

Del mismo modo, está presente en los tajos del metro de Málaga, del AVE entre la localidad malagueña de Antequera y Granada o en la ampliación del puerto de Algeciras (Cádiz).

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Dangote Cement pays interim dividend

Dangote Cement Plc (DCP), a member of the Dangote Group, has announced an interim dividend of N30.98 billion for the period ended September 30.

The interim dividend is part of the group’s strategies of enhancing and growing shareholders’ value through consistent dividend payment. It also fulfills the promise by the directors of the company to pay an interim dividend to shareholders.

Dangote Cement resulted from the merger between Dangote Cement and Benue Cement Company (BCC). The merger created the biggest company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

In the review period, the enlarged company reported a turnover of N146.56 billion. According to the unaudited financial results, turnover rose by N55.26 billion or 37.71 percent, when compared to turnover value of N91.30 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2009.

A review of the financial results indicated that Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by N30 billion or 39 percent to N76.93, compared to N46.93 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2009. Profit After Tax (PAT) was on the same upward swing, as it rose by N30.16 billion or 40.05 percent to N75.30 billion, in contrast to N45.14 billion at the preceding year.

With the payment of N30.98 billion interim dividend, investors in the companies under the Dangote Group that are listed on the Exchange received a total dividend of N60.21 billion.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan trade deal brings limited profit for Kabul

A deal to open new export markets for Afghan products, by creating a tax-free transit corridor to India through Pakistan, is lopsided and may cement Islamabad's resented grip on the Afghan economy, traders and officials say.

The US-sponsored transit agreement which comes into effect next year allows Afghan trucks to drive tax free across Pakistan up to the Indian border with products for sale there — but they cannot load up with Indian exports for the return journey.

Instead, Afghan traders must buy products made in or shipped into Pakistan, ensuring Pakistani merchants do not lose their foothold in a market worth billions of dollars in annual sales.

"We couldn't insist on bringing Indian goods to the country from Pakistan's border... or they would not have been interested in signing it," said Mozamel Shinware, head of International Trade in the Ministry of Commerce.

Afghanistan also agreed to allow Pakistan traders to seek routes to central Asia along Afghan roads, Shinware said.

The long-awaited agreement has been in the pipeline for months and was hammered out with help from the United States, which is keen to try and wean Afghanistan off billions of dollars in foreign aid by boosting economic growth.

Afghanistan's total worldwide exports were only USD 400 million last year, and according to Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce around half of that was sales of fruit and carpets to India.

"Pakistan charges a 35 percent tax on Afghanistan exports to Pakistan itself, but transit is now free," said Chamber of Commerce deputy head Khan Jan Alokozai.

However the trucks will have to stock up with Pakistani goods for their return journey. And importing Indian goods via sea is very costly, often more than twice as expensive as overland transport, sources at the commerce ministry say.

"Pakistan was very cautious about signing this contract, thinking about its revenues first and foremost," said Afghan finance ministry spokesman Aziz Shams.

"We get 10% of the benefits from the contract, and Pakistan gets 90% of the benefits," he said.

Afghanistan is the largest buyer of Pakistan goods ranging from food items to construction materials, worth USD 4 billion a year, Shams added.

Islamabad says Afghanistan is the country's third biggest market, although it put trade at USD 1.45 billion for the 11 months from July 2009. The difference may be due to smuggling.

Uneasy Partners

The trade deal should provide a significant new outlet for Afghan goods as the Kabul government and its foreign partners struggle to rebuild an economy crippled by decades of war.

India is a relatively short truck journey away and in 2003 signed a preferential trade agreement with Kabul, one of only two such bilateral deals Delhi has agreed.

A strengthening insurgency and weak infrastructure have meant Afghans are still heavily dependent on foreign aid.

Unemployment runs at around 40%, and economists and businessmen say lack of jobs makes it easier for militants to recruit fighters to their ranks, so creating businesses and finding markets for Afghan goods is an urgent concern.

But landlocked Afghanistan is dependent on its neighbours for access to markets, and its small manufacturing base means it also relies on them for imports.

This has created widespread resentment of the grip Pakistan in particular has on the country's economy. This comes on top of the common perception that Islamabad has contributed to decades of violence and insecurity by supporting insurgent groups.

"Pakistan only sends poor quality and unhealthy things, without any controls imposed by the Afghan government," said Rahim Khan, a shopkeeper in Afghanistan whose general store is packed with goods from his unloved neighbour.

"This agreement is totally to the advantage of Pakistan. They should allow Afghan traders to bring Indian goods into the country, why are we forced to just use Pakistani products?"

COLOMBIA: Argos dejará de producir cemento en su planta de Barranquilla

Barranquilla. A partir del próximo año, Cementos Argos cierra la producción de clinker en Barranquilla, dejando sólo la de molienda, empaque y despacho de esta principal materia prima para la elaboración del cemento.

El presidente de la compañía, José Alberto Vélez, dice que en ese sentido lo que buscan es que la presencia de Argos se ligue más al desarrollo de nuevos empleos por la generación de proyectos de infraestructura y de urbanismo. "Dejar de producir cemento en la ciudad no es abandonar a Barranquilla, por el contrario, se fortalecerá la relación. En el norte de la ciudad se tienen varias iniciativas de urbanismo. Argos cuenta con aproximadamente 700 hectáreas para urbanizar", aseguró Vélez. 

El directivo sostuvo que Barranquilla es privilegiada para el desarrollo de proyectos urbanos en los próximos 20 años, gracias a la extensión y amplitud de sus terrenos. "Nuestra idea inicial para esta zona es la construcción de espacios educativos, comerciales y oficinas", afirmó.

PAKISTAN: Cement sector profits to firm going ahead

KARACHI: Cement sector profits are expected to continue in coming quarters on the back of a 16 per cent increase in cement prices, according to IGI Securities.

Retail prices of the commodity have shot up by 55 per cent in less than a year to levels of Rs335 per bag from levels of Rs225 per bag in January 2010 which bodes well for the sector, said IGI Securities analyst Sana Abdullah.

Cement prices in the local market started to surge after May following reports of a price consensus amongst industry players as the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) ordinance lapsed in April, the analyst said in the company research report.

Overall cement growth could increase three to four per cent to 35.2 million tons in fiscal year 2011 aided by post-floods reconstruction activities, which are expected to gather pace during the second quarter of fiscal 2011 (October to December 2010).

Cement sales picked up 16 per cent to 2.92 million tons in October on a monthly basis whereas exports also increased by 52 per cent to 0.95 million tons.

However, export sales declined 19 per cent and local sales also dropped 11 per cent on a yearly basis.

Exports decline

Exports have declined 19 per cent during the first four months of fiscal 2011 on a yearly basis due to the disconnection of road links after floods in August to September, said Abdullah.

Afghanistan still remains the number one destination where 1.54 million tons of cement has been exported during the first four months of fiscal 2011, representing an increase of 15 per cent on a yearly basis.

Imports to East African markets have also increased, irking local makers in East Africa to push their governments to increase import duty on cement from existing 25 to 50 per cent to protect local makers. However, the regulatory bodies have been silent on the issue.

The landed cost of Pakistani cement is $94 per ton in East Africa while locally manufactured cement is available at $200 per ton.

Even if the duty is doubled, Pakistan will still be competitive with a price of $113 per ton, added Abdullah.

Moreover, cement exports continue to find new destinations like Sri Lanka and Malaysia since demand has failed to pick up in Middle East, said Abdullah. Cement from Saudi Arabia is preferred for countries like UAE and Bahrain as transportation cost is much lower, said Abdullah.

SAUDI ARABIA: Arabian Cement, Eastern Province, Sabic: Gulf Equity Preview

The following stocks may rise or fall in Gulf Arab markets. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are from the last close.

The Dubai Financial Market General Index lost 1.4 percent to the lowest since Sept. 16. Abu Dhabi’s measure slipped 0.3 percent while Saudi Arabia’s gauge increased 0.2 percent.

Arabian Cement Co. (ARCCO AB): The Saudi Arabian maker of the building material was raised to “buy” from “hold” and assigned a price estimate of 39.80 riyals at Global Investment House KSCC. The shares increased 0.3 percent to 36 riyals.

Eastern Province Cement Co. (EACCO AB): The Saudi manufacturer of cement and clinker was cut to “reduce” from “hold” and assigned a price estimate of 37 riyals at Global Investment House. The shares advanced 1.4 percent to 42.5 riyals.

Saudi Cement Co. (SACCO AB): The second-largest producer of building materials in the kingdom by assets was cut to “hold” from “buy” and assigned a price estimate of 47 riyals at Global Investment House. The shares were unchanged at 43.6 riyals.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC AB): The world’s biggest petrochemical maker plans to ask the World Trade Organization to apply pressure on India to lift an anti-dumping duty it imposed on Saudi polypropylene, an official said. The shares gained 0.5 percent to 99.5 riyals.

AFRICA: KENIA: Lafarge Bamburi unveils new plant

Regional cement manufacturer, Lafarge Bamburi, has launched a new state of the art plant to manufacture pre-casts and ready mix concrete in an effort to enhance production capacity in Kenya.

The new plant will help boost the introduction of valued added products in order to better meet customer needs and to continue to lead the market in innovative solutions.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the plant in Athi River, Bruno Lafont,Chairman and CEO of Lafarge said the Company is committed to innovation and growth in East Africa.

‘'This new facility combines both and reflects our strong belief in the economic prospects in Kenya. It will help us meet the growing demand in its construction sector with state of the art technology," he said.

Both businesses have shown growth in the country with the precast business projecting volumes of 535,000m2 in 2010, while the projected volume for the ready mix business is 27,000m3.

New precast and ready mix batching plants to be installed in 2011 will see the volumes rise to 855,000m2 and 40,000m3 respectively. This has been due to positive consumer response to the company's innovative products.

The products range from ready-mix concrete to other value-added products such as paving blocks, road kerbs, road channels, culverts, inverted block drains, wallpanels and hollow blocks have seen their demand grow.