Displaying items by tag: Government

Ghana: Diamond Cement Group has donated 250t of cement and US$17,500 to the government to support its efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus in Ghana. The Ghanaian Times newspaper has reported that the cement will be used for hospital repairs. Diamond Cement Group chair Mukesh Patel said, “It is crucial that we all work together to minimise the negative impact of the pandemic on economic activities.”

India: Operations of industrial units in rural areas are clear to resume as of 20 April 2020, subject to local permissions and social distancing rules. Dion News Service has reported that JK Lakshmi Cement has resumed operations at two grinding units in Gujarat, JK Cement has resumed reduced operations at its 3.0Mt/yr integrated Muddapur plant in Karnataka and UltraTech has resumed operations ‘at some of the company’s locations.’ Ambuja Cements, ACC, ICC and India Cements all announced plans to return to full capacity utilisation in phases.

As part of phase two of India’s coronavirus lockdown, public spaces remain closed and public transport is suspended until 3 May 2020.

Armenia: The government has included cement production under a list of permitted economic activities able to resume from 16 April 2020. Azbarez News has reported that the present lockdown is scheduled to continue until 15 May 2020. Cement and clinker imports from neighbouring Iran, historically the main source of construction cement for Armenia, have continued throughout the coronavirus crisis.

Russia: Italy-based Buzzi Unicem subsidiary SKL Cement has supplied 400t of cement to the site of an upcoming coronavirus hospital in Omsk, Omsk Oblast. SLK Cement CEO Andrei Immoreev said, “In a difficult time for the whole world, our company continues to work to provide cement for construction sites of regional and federal facilities,” according to AMF News.

On 16 April 2020 the government launched a raft of measures, including subsidies for construction companies to keep jobs open and paid, to help the sector to recover after the crisis. and Major infrastructure projects in all regions will continue.

US: Lehigh Cement has announced plans to suspend operations at its 0.5Mt/yr Glens Falls, New York, plant and associated Moreau quarry by 1 May 2020 in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The move will see its local staff of 90 reduced to 36 for the duration of the shutdown. Times Union newspaper has reported that Lehigh Cement will cover the 54 dismissed employees’ health insurance payments and ‘provide assistance in applying for unemployment and other layoff-related benefits.’ Lehigh Cement Glens Falls plant manager David Dreyer said, “We look forward to the day when our nation's health is no longer at such risk and our customers' demand for cement products returns, so we can welcome our employees back and resume full operation.”

India: Gujarat Sidhee Cement resumed production at its 1.2Mt/yr Sidheegram plant in Gujarat on 15 April 2020. The company said that in reopening the plant it would ‘comply with directives issued by central, state and local government,’ according to Accord Fintech News.

Egypt: Misr Cement Qena has announced its donation of US$127,000 to the government’s Tahya Misr coronavirus rapid response fund. The fund aims to provide unemployed irregular workers with US$31.7/day, increasing the healthcare budget by 75% and providing ventilators to all who need them, as well as equipping hospitals with masks and detergent. Misr Cement Qena chairman Abd al-Fattah Harhour said, “We are very proud to take a leading part in the initiative as part of our ongoing social responsibility towards our country and our people.”

Colombia: Mexico-based Cemex has announced the resumption of operations at its 2.8Mt/yr Caracolito plant in Ibagué, Tolima Department on 13 April 2020. Noticias Financieras News has reported that Cemex Colombia will resume the supply of its products to ‘infrastructure and public works that cannot be suspended, as well as for emergency care projects and road projects.

Cemex will have to wait for the Colombian government to lift its coronavirus lockdown to restart supplies to customers.

Poland: The Association of Cement Producers (SPC) has told the government that the cement industry generates 1.0% (Euro5.39bn) of annual gross domestic product (GDP) directly and 10% (Euro53.9bn) indirectly via construction and, as such, ought to be permitted to continue operations as a ‘necessary business’ under the terms of the country’s coronavirus lockdown. The SPC also said that the industry serves a crucial function in disposing of 11-12% (1.32 – 1.44Mt/yr) of Poland’s waste as fuel for cement production.

Poland has been on lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak since 11 March 2020.

Pakistan: The Pak-India Business Council (PIBC), a leading Pakistan-based organisation that advocates for stronger trade ties with India, has welcomed a relief package for the construction sector announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The PIBC said that the measures would be help generate business in the country, including for those taking home daily wages, who have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

PIBC Chairman Noor Muhammad Kasuri said that the Khan's relief package would help provide relief to construction workers. He also welcomed an exemption of duty on construction materials, including cement, that would also help construction firms and allied businesses. Kasuri even added that the steps would open ‘new vistas of investment’ in the country after the outbreak.