Pakistan: Thatta Cement’s standalone sales fell by 22% US$23.1m in the financial year to 30 June 2018 from US$29.7m in the same period in 2017. Its gross profit fell by 35% to US$6.1m from US$9.4m. Its profit for the year fell by 39% to US$2.9m from US$4.7m.

Colombia: Cementos Argos has been ratified for the sixth consecutive year as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), which recognises good practices in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability of the companies registered in stock markets. Celsia, a Grupo Argos energy subsidiary, was also included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the Latin American Integrated Market (MILA) - Pacific Alliance, which recognises companies with the best economic, social and environmental practices in Chile, Peru, Mexico and Colombia. Grupo Argos and Cementos Argos were also included.

"Being ratified as world leaders in sustainability by Dow Jones is the result of our conscious investment, our commitment to a responsible operation of all our businesses, and our permanent interest to positively impact society, respecting our planet," said Jorge Mario Velasquez, chief executive officer (CEO) of Grupo Argos.

In 2018 more than 3500 companies around the world were invited to participate, but only 317 were selected as members of the worldwide DJSI.

Zimbabwe: Lafarge Zimbabwe says that it is able to supply the market with cement following a shortage. In a statement the subsidiary of LafargeHolcim said that the recent surge in demand was ‘temporary’ and that, overall, the situation was a ‘positive signal of economic growth,’ according to the Chronicle newspaper. It said that the situation might be attributable to a rise in mortgage finance as well as improved disposable income following a successful tobacco and maize farming season on the back of the Command Agriculture Programme.

Cement prices have reportedly risen by over 50% due to the shortage. Producers have blamed her situation on technical problems following maintenance works at their plants. They have also ruled out any further increases in prices. Despite the cement shortage they have warned against trading cement on the black market.

Chad: Morocco’s Ciments de l’Afrique (CIMAF) has launched commercial operations at its new 0.5Mt/yr grinding plant at Lamadji. CIMAF regional director Hatim Kahttabi said that the production capcity of the unit is expandable to 1Mt/yr, according to Alwihda. The project had an investment of Euro35m and it has created 200 jobs.