Displaying items by tag: Import
Costa Rica to see further Chinese imports
17 July 2015Costa Rica: Amid the controversy generated by changes in the rules for marketing cement in Costa Rica, Sinocem has announced that the first Chinese import and sale of cement in the country generated 'good results.' It stated that it will import more. The company says that the first batch was sold in December 2014 at a price 20% lower than the competition.
Armenia: As reported by ARMINFO News (Armenia), Armenia cut its cement exports 2.5-fold to 73,000t in 2014, down from 185,200t in 2013. It also increased its imports 2.2-fold, according to the Customs Service of Armenia.
The customs cost of the exported cement fell from US$11.8m in 2013 to US$4.6m in 2014, a factor of 2.6. In 2013, cement exports grew by 36% year-on-year and imports doubled. The Ministry of Economy said that cement exports fell dramatically in 2014 as a new cement plant started up in Rustavi, Georgia. There are now three HeidelbergCement cement plants in Georgia. The country was the key consumer of Armenian cement exports.
In 2014, Armenia imported 7500t of cement for US$1.2m compared to 3400t for US$615,200 in 2013. Some 98% of the country's cement imports come from Iran.
According to the Statistical Service of Armenia, cement production fell by 0.9% in 2014 and by 1.5% in 2013, compared to 3.6% growth in 2012. In 2014, the construction sector shrank by 4.3% to US$913m. In the first quarter of 2015, the construction sector grew by a marginal 0.4%.
Costa Rica: According to Central America Data, complaints have been made about the differences in the use by dates on cement bags misleading consumers. The cement bags in question were imported from China under the brand name Sinocem.
A label at the top of the sacks in question states that the packing date was 5 January 2015 and recommends its use by 5 July 2015. Another label on the same sack indicates that the product must be used within 45 calendar days following the date of packing, which would mean that the product has already expired.
The Consumers Association of Costa Rica has filed a complaint with the National Consumer Commission at the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce over the imported Sinocem cement due to problems in product labelling that affect consumers.
"There is a deep concern that there is no clarity over use by dates for cement, which could even cause risk, because we do not know if the adhesives work well or even the exact date of the packing. With this cement being sold like this, consumers should be careful," said Gilberto Campos, vice president of the Consumer Association of Costa Rica.
Nghi Son Cement allowed to continue fly ash imports
02 July 2015Vietnam: According to Vietnam News Brief Service, deputy prime minister Hoang Trung Hai has agreed to allow Nghi Son Cement Corporation to continue the pilot import of fly ash as a raw material for its cement production.
The deputy prime minister had earlier agreed to allow Nghi Son Cement Corporation to import no more than 200,000t/yr of fly ash in 2015 - 2016. He also requested the company to develop a plan to use domestic fly ash for cement production from 2017.
Vietnam has a huge supply of fly ash. It is estimated that the thermal power plants in Vietnam produce 4.5Mt/yr of fly ash. The figure is expected to hit 35Mt/yr in 2030. According to Vietnam News Brief Service, agencies, companies and localities have not shown their willingness to share interests with others, leading to fly ash sourcing difficulties for many companies.
New Philippines terminal to open in early 2016
23 June 2015Philippines: According to IHS Maritime 360, the UK's Nectar Group and Seasia Nectar Port Services Inc (SNPSI), which are in a joint venture project to build a US$185.5m dry bulk terminal in Bataan, expect the new facility to launch in early 2016.
"The current schedule is for phase one to be operational from the first quarter of 2016," said a Nectar Group official. "There are planned timeframes for the other two phases, but they are dependent on how well the first phase operates."
The new dry bulk terminal is designed to handle shipments of coal, clinker, silica sand, cement raw materials, steel, fertiliser and other dry bulk cargo. Construction of the terminal will be completed in three phases covering 114,000m2. The first phase covers the development of the port facility with a 247m quay and a 14m draft. Once completed, the terminal will have 3Mt/yr of cargo capacity.
In addition to quayside and open storage areas, SNPSI will also build facilities for warehousing, stevedoring, lightering and other services.
Ghana: According to local media Modern Ghana, George Dawson-Ahmoah, chairman of the Ghana Cement Manufacturers Association (GCMA), has called for the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imported cement to rid the industry of unfair trade practices by importers and protect investments by local cement manufacturers and the employment of locals.
Dawson-Ahmoah urged the government to take its cue from South Africa, which recently imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on cement originating from Pakistan. South Africa imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on cement from Pakistan from 15 May 2015 following investigations initiated by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) on 22 August 2014 after a number of local cement producing companies submitted an application on behalf of the industry.
Dumping occurs when companies export their goods to foreign markets at prices lower than what they charge for the same product in their home market. When dumping causes material injury to an industry in the market to which the products are exported, it is considered unfair trade.
Dawson-Ahmoah said that since countries are entitled to act in terms of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and procedures with an objective to level the playing field between domestic producers and foreign competitors, Ghana's government should act appropriately to defend the local market from undue price under cuttings, which have the potential to 'destabilise' the industry.
Ghana: The Ghana Cement Manufacturers Association (GCMA), which comprises Ghacem Ltd, Diamond Cement Company Ltd and Savannah Diamond Company Ltd, has appealed to the Ministry of Finance to urgently commence investigation into what it described as the tax liabilities of certain importers of bagged cement into the country.
In a letter dated 26 May 2015 and addressed to the director of taxes at the Finance Ministry, the GCMA said that it had gathered that two importers, SOL Ghana Ltd and Fujiman Sentuo, had allegedly declared cost, insurance, freight (CIF) values of about US$27/t and US$30/t respectively. The letter, jointly signed by George Dawson-Ahmoah, chairman and N Venketash, vice chairman / secretary, stated, 'The alleged values to us as seasoned manufacturers in the cement industry are unbelievable and call for the attention of the tax authorities. Such values, when confirmed, are under-valued leading to huge financial loss to the nation."
South Africa imposes duties on cement
18 May 2015South Africa: South Africa has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 14.3 – 77.2% on Portland Cement originating in or imported from Pakistan from 15 May 2015 for six months. Lucky Cement is subjected to pay 14.3% duty, followed by Bestway at 77.2%, DG Khan at 68.9%, Attock Pakistan at 63.5% and other cement makers at 62.7%.
This follows an investigation initiated by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) on 22 August 2014 after a number of local cement producing companies submitted an application on behalf of the South African Customs Union (SACU). A number of companies, including Afrisam, Lafarge Africa, NPC Cimpor and PPC, approached the ITAC and established a prima facie case that convinced the commission to initiate an investigation on the basis of dumping, material injury, threat of material injury and causality. However, the application was opposed by Pakistani cement producers, such as Lucky Cement, Bestway Cement, DG Khan Cement and Attock Cement.
The commission found that the industry is suffering material injury through a decline in sales volume and output as well as profits and cash flow. The industry also experienced price undercutting and price suppression. The commission further found that a threat of material injury exists given that Pakistan has increased its production capacity; Pakistan's exports to its traditional markets are declining and imports from Pakistan into South Africa increased by >600% in 2010 - 2013.
The commission made a preliminary determination that Portland cement originating in or imported from Pakistan was dumped into the market. In order to prevent further injury to the industry while the investigation is under way, the commission has requested the SARS (South African Revenue Service) to impose the provisional measures on imported Portland cement originating from Pakistan for six months.
Bolivia: Itacamba Cemento has announced that it is currently importing large amounts of cement from Brazil to meet local demand in Santa Cruz. The Bolivian cement company will continue to import cement from Brazil until the second half of 2016 when it expects to start its new US$220m cement plant in Yacuses. It estimates to import some 5400t/month of cement, or around 107,000 bags, dependent on market demand.
Cameroon bans cement imports
16 April 2015Cameroon: Cameroon has announced a ban on imported cement as part of measures to boost the patronage of Dangote Cement products, according to local media.
Abdulahi Baba, general manager and head of Dangote's Cameroon plant, said that the company had already assured the government of Cameroon that it would help shore up local cement with the ban on cement imports. Baba added that Dangote appreciates the gesture of the Cameroonian government and stressed that the ban was a vote of confidence on the ability of cement manufacturers in the country, especially Dangote Cement, to meet and surpass local demand.
Baba said that with the addition of Dangote's 1.5Mt/yr of capacity, the three domestic cement manufacturers would surpass local demand. He added that Dangote management was already looking towards export prospects in Chad, Central African Republic, Garbon, Equitorial Guinea and Togo.
"Demand is growing everyday because of the infrastructural developmental efforts of the government. We will take the advantage of the ban on cement importation here in Cameroon," said Baba. "We are set to pursue aggressive market penetration and consolidation through appropriate above-the-line and below-the-line activities. About 170 distributors have been selected after the interview process and 85 distributors will start. The number will gradually increase with increasing production."