04 September 2017
Nepalese investment body signs deals with Hongshi-Shivam Cement 04 September 2017
Nepal: The Investment Board of Nepal (IBN) has signed a project investment agreement worth US$359m with China’s Hongshi-Shivam Cement in connection with a cement plant being built at Nawalparasi. The agreement is the first of its kind signed by the IBN with a private sector company and it will last 15 years, according to the Kathmandu Post newspaper. The investment deal is the biggest made by a foreign company in the country’s manufacturing sector.
Hongshi-Shivam Cement is a joint venture between Nepal’s Shivam Holdings, which also produces Shivam brand of cement, and Hong Kong Red Lion Cement No 3, a subsidiary of China’s Hongshi Group. The Chinese company owns a 70% stake in the joint venture. Commercial production of cement is planned to start at the plant in 2018.
Krakatau Semen Indonesia launches slag-grinding plant 04 September 2017
Indonesia: Krakatau Semen Indonesia (KSI), a joint venture between Krakatau Steel and Semen Indonesia, has launched a slag grinding plant in Cilegon, Banten. The 0.69Mt/yr ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) plant had an investment of US$31m, according to the Jakarta Post newspaper. Construction at the site started in 2014. Both the companies running the venture are state owned and they own an equal share each in the plant.
Philippine Cement Importers Association backs pre-shipment inspection 04 September 2017
Philippines: The Philippine Cement Importers Association (PCIA) has offered its support for government plans for the pre-shipment testing of imported cement. It has also backed the Bureau of Philippine Standards’ (BPS) new department administrative order that requires mandatory certification of cement products, according to the Philippine Star newspaper. PCIA executive director Dani Enriquez said the draft administrative order was consistent with ISO standards and with the Key Principles and Obligations of the International Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade administered by the World Trade Organization.
However, chief executives from cement producers including Eagle Cement, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Republic Cement, Cemex Philippines and Mabuhay Filcement, have opposed the proposed change in government import regulations. Some of the producers have favoured testing of imports upon arrival in the country instead.
Lion cement brand to launch in Cameroon in October 2017 04 September 2017
Cameroon: Egin (Entreprise générale industrielle) plans to launch Lion brand cement in October 2017. The company signed an investment agreement with the government’s Investment Promotion Agency (API) in late Augut 2017, according to local press. Around US$15m has been invested in a production unit based in Douala. The site is expcted to employ 30 workers.
Switzerland: Guatemala‘s Cementos Progreso has joined the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) as its first affiliate member. The new membership level was created by the CSI to expand its membership and provide an interim approach to joining the scheme. Affiliate members will be expected to achieve full membership within a three-year timescale.