SPAIN: Gallardo se desprende de Cementos Balboa y de Papresa

El Grupo Alfonso Gallardo ha firmado hoy un acuerdo de refinanciación con la banca acreedora mayoritaria y la firma de capital riesgo Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) mediante su fondo líder en situaciones especiales.

El grupo se desprende de dos de sus activos no siderúrgicos, Cementos Balboa, en Alconera (Badajoz) y Papresa, en Rentería (Guipúzcoa), y reduce su deuda en alrededor de 500 millones de euros, quedando un crédito preferente de 123 millones a pagar en 6 años y una deuda subordinada, incluida la provisión de liquidez aportada por los bancos, de entorno a 200 millones a amortizar entre siete y diez años.

El acuerdo supone garantizar la viabilidad del Grupo y le permite centrarse en su actividad principal, el sector siderometalúrgico, del que es uno de los principales grupos industriales de España con plantas repartidas por Madrid, País Vasco, Asturias y Extremadura y con una importante presencia en los mercados europeos e internacional.

Mediante el acuerdo, KKR aporta capital paciente al Grupo, que, además de una inyección de recursos financieros, le dota de una estructura financiera estable que garantiza la actividad del Grupo a largo plazo. Los acreedores no financieros y el resto de la banca acreedora deberán sumarse a este acuerdo, que está sujeto a las condiciones habituales de este tipo de contratos.

En el marco del acuerdo, KKR se asocia con la banca acreedora mayoritaria para refinanciar la deuda del Grupo Gallardo así como para adquirir los negocios de cemento y papel del Grupo y cofinanciar su deuda. Esta solución conjunta dota a las empresas involucradas en la operación de una estructura financiera estable y supone una mejora de su situación y una garantía de continuidad para las mismas.

Con la firma de este acuerdo se cierra el proceso de restructuración que inició el Grupo Gallardo en el año 2012 para centrarse en el sector del acero, reforzar su posición financiera y refinanciar una deuda que superaba los 1.500 millones de euros.

PAKISTAN: Cement industry high despatches bring hope for positive turnaround

Cement despatches touched an all time high of 3.21 million tons during April 2014 raising the industry hopes of a long awaited turnaround. The sector has achieved capacity utilization of 75.21 percent during first 10 months of current fiscal year that is the highest level achieved during last five years and pundits are expecting that it will be increased to 80 percent by the end of June 2014.

The exuberance in the sector is based on some encouraging revival in construction sector and public sector development programs. “With funding released by the World Bank for Dassu power project and many power sector projects coming up we see a healthy growth in cement sector,” All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.

Though the overall increase in the cement despatches is only 1.17 percent but the domestic sales have continued to increase which has compensated the regular decline in cement exports. He said buoyancy in domestic market is a great relief for the sector as the capacities were increased basically to cater the local demands.

Cement despatches to domestic markets during the month of April 14 increased by 7.2 percent to 2.539 Million Tons compared with 2.368 Million Tons during same month last year. Exports during April 14 were 672,000 Tons against 754,000 Tons during April 13 showing decline of 11%. Total despatches during April, 14 were 3.21 Million Tons compared to 3.12 Million Tons during same month last year showing increase of 2.8 percent.

During the first 10 months of current fiscal year, cement industry despatched 21.3 Million Tons in local markets posting a growth of 2.7 percent compared with local despatches during the same period of last fiscal year. Exports from the country declined by 3.39 percent to 6.68 Million Tons compared with exports during the first ten months of last year. The overall situation during first 10 months of current fiscal year showed a growth of 1.17% compared to the same period of last fiscal year as total despatches increased to 27.986 Million Tons against 27.664 Million Tons from July 12 to April, 13.

Cement Industry believes that the government would act positively to the suggestions given by the APCMA in the upcoming budget. He said while formulating these suggestions, supreme national interest was kept in mind. It is pertinent to mention that the construction sector is the most potent accelerator of growth and employment and is the integral part of every construction activity that boosts 42 allied industries also.

PAKISTAN: DG Khan Cement eager to buy Lafarge Pakistan

DG Khan Cement has shown interest in acquiring Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited, The News learnt on Wednesday.

The major shareholder Sofima SAS, a fully-held direct subsidiary of Lafarge SA, is divesting 100 percent shares of its shares.

DG Khan Cement (DGKC) informed all three stock exchanges and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan that it had received approval from its board of directors to participate in this [buying] process and to take part in due diligence.

The cement maker has appointed The Next Capital Limited as manager to the proposed transaction.

Lafarge Pakistan, in a separate notification last week, notified that Sofima SAS was in the process to divest 75.86 percent of its shares.

Divestment from Lafarge Pakistan came after merger of the major shareholder with Holcim earlier this month. Consequently, LafargeHolcim came into being, which is the most advanced group in building materials industry, uniquely positioned in 90 countries around the world with a balanced exposure to both developed and high growth markets.

Lafarge Pakistan is the only multinational company in cement sector of the country. It is listed on Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad stock exchanges, while its export markets include India, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

The company’s workforce is over 800 employees and its businesses include 65.6 percent in cement, 33.8 percent in aggregates and concrete and its 0.6 percent stake is in other businesses.

Ahsan Mehanti, chartered accountant and analyst at Arif Habib Corporation, said that currently none of the companies had shown interest in the purchase of Lafarge Pakistan, while bidding process and interest would come on the scene once due diligence process is over.

“Lafarge SA does not want to stay in Pakistan and it is its own decision,” said Mehanti.

He said that he was happy with DG Khan Cement entering in the process of due diligence, which might end up in purchasing of Lafarge Pakistan. “It is good for a Pakistani company to invest in our own country rather than diverting investment abroad,” he said.

Furqan Ayub, an analyst at JS Research, said according to the notice issued by DG Khan Cement, the company had expressed its interest to acquire the 100 percent stake of Lafarge SA in Lafarge Pakistan (LPCL).

“At present, Lafarge SA has a 73 percent stake in LPCL. Interestingly, Vision Holdings Middle East (currently holding 47 percent stake in Pioneer Cement) has also shown interest in the same acquisition,” said the analyst.

LPCL has an installed capacity of 2.4 million tonnes per annum with its plant located in Chakwal, Punjab.

“If DGKC acquires LPCL, it will become the second largest cement producer of Pakistan – ahead of Bestway Cement,” Ayub said.

EGYPT: Suez Cement Company invests EGP 300m to convert plants to use coal power

The company is still waiting for final approval from the Ministry of Environment to use the pollution-heavy fuel following a controversial cabinet decision to import coal 

The Suez Cement Company announced plans Sunday to invest EGP 300m to convert two out of its four plants to use coal rather than natural gas following a controversial government decision to import the pollution-heavy fuel as a means of addressing power shortages.

The conversion process for each plant will cost around EGP 150m, said Mohammed Shanan, the cement company’s business development director.

Another company source estimated the overhaul will take between 6 to 8 months.

The company is still waiting for final approval from the Ministry of Environment to use coal in the production of cement, the company source said.

The production capacity of the Suez Cement Company fell 50% during the first quarter of this year as a result of fuel shortages, which has led to a 50% decline in sales, Al-Borsa reported.

The Egyptian Cabinet approved the use of coal for power generation last month, despite the disapproval of Minister of Environment Laila Iskandar, in response to protests from factories. The Egyptian government had cut natural gas supply to factories in an attempt to conserve energy resources.

A number of nongovernmental organisations, including the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, condemned the decision to use coal in a statement last month, forecasting that it will have “devastating consequences on health and the economy.”

The Egyptian Centre for Economic and Social Rights, with support from the Doctor’s Syndicate, has filed a lawsuit against interim Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, President Adly Mansour, and the ministers of trade, petroleum, electricity, and environmental affairs in an attempt to block the use of coal in Egypt.

NICARAGUA: Cemex invertirá $55 millones en planta de cemento

Cemex anunció este martes que, mediante su subsidiaria Cemex Latam Holdings S.A., construirá una nueva planta de molienda de cemento en Ciudad Sandino, Managua.

Con esta nueva facilidad la empresa espera incrementar su capacidad de producción de cemento en Nicaragua en aproximadamente 104 por ciento.

Mediante un comunicado, Cemex informó que invertirá aproximadamente 55 millones de dólares en la construcción de la planta y que espera concluir la primera fase a finales del primer semestre de 2015.

Se espera que la nueva molienda alcance una capacidad anual de producción de cemento de hasta 860 mil toneladas en 2017.

En el mismo documento, la empresa aseguró que “implementará planes de reforestación en la zona y de apoyo a la comunidad, iniciando con el lanzamiento de su programa Centros Productivo de Autoempleo (CPAs), mediante el cual se producen bloques de cemento para la mejora de viviendas en conjunto con las comunidades y autoridades locales

WORLD: HeidelbergCement Q1 operating profit up on mild weather

German cement maker HeidelbergCement posted a more than five-fold increase in quarterly operating income that beat consensus thanks to mild winter weather in Europe and price increases in key markets.

"Europe contributed significantly to the improvement of results due to the mild winter and the positive economic development in our markets," Chief Executive Bernd Scheifele said on Wednesday.

In North America, where private residential construction is driving growth, sales of building materials were affected by a cold and snowy winter, but still remained at virtually the same level as a year earlier, the company said.

Despite a 221 million euro ($307.92 million) negative impact from weak currencies, price increases in key markets as well as double-digit percentage growth in the sales volume of cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt boosted revenue by 5.7 percent to 2.75 billion euros, beating estimates.

Operating income jumped to 50 million euros from 9 million in the year-earlier period and beat the average estimate of 16.9 million in a Reuters poll of analysts.

HeidelbergCement said it continued to expect an increase in revenue, operating income and profit for this year on a like-for-like basis.

Shares in HeidelbergCement have risen 14 percent so far this year, while rivals Lafarge was up 21 percent and Holcim 17 percent. The STOXX Europe 600 Construction & Materials Index was up 13 percent during this period.

INDIA: Ultratech Cement may consider buying Holcim-Lafarge assets

Ultratech Cement Ltd, India’s biggest maker of the material, is looking to buy the local assets of Holcim Ltd and Lafarge SA, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, who controls Ultratech, is waiting to see what will be on sale as the two European companies prepare to dispose of plants, the person said, asking not to be named because the matter is private. Holcim and Lafarge, which agreed to a merger last month, may divest in Brazil, India, China, Canada and the US, Lafarge chief executive officer Bruno Lafont told investors on 7 April.

“The ready availability of assets may help the Indian firm gain market share without having to build greenfield factories,” said Rashesh Shah, an analyst at ICICI Securities Ltd in Mumbai. Birla’s plan also underscores optimism among investors that a stable government after elections this month will spur a revival in the $1.8 trillion economy as it crawls out of the slowest pace of expansion in a decade.

“Holcim-Lafarge’s asset shedding is a big opportunity for Ultratech to bolster its market share,” said Shah. “Being the largest player in the sector with a healthy balance sheet, it is a natural buyer of good assets on the block.”

India capacity

Jona, Switzerland-based Holcim and Paris-based Lafarge are preparing to sell assets with €5 billion ($6.9 billion) in revenue to win regulatory approval after announcing plans to form the world’s largest cement maker with combined annual sales of $40 billion. The total cement capacity in India held by the two and units is about 62 million tonnes.

Mumbai-based Ultratech plans to add 20 million tonnes to its current 58 million tonnes capacity in the next three years, for which a few buyouts will be necessary, the person said. The company is also scouting for assets and sites to build plants in Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Oman, the Philippines and Malaysia. It is already present in the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bahrain.

Pragnya Ram, group spokeswoman, didn’t respond to an email seeking comments on the company’s plan.

“There’s a huge market interest and we are currently working on the filing and divestment packages,” Eike Christian Meuter, Holcim’s Zurich-based spokesman wrote in an email on Monday , without elaborating. Elodie Woillez, Lafarge’s spokeswoman in Paris, declined to comment.

Jaiprakash unit

Birla, whose net worth is $8.8 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, took over as chairman of the $40 billion Aditya Birla group in 1995. He is seeking to boost revenue of the carbon black-to-cellular service conglomerate by 63% to $65 billion by 2015.

In September, Ultratech bought the 4.8 million tonne Gujarat unit of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd for an enterprise value of Rs.3,800 crore in Birla’s biggest acquisition in more than two years.

The company was in talks to buy a second cement unit in Himachal Pradesh from India’s only Formula One track builder, the person said. The negotiations are on hold as Jaiprakash’s plant is awaiting some approvals.

‘Extremely attractive’

Ultratech’s net income increased almost 61% over the past three years and sector analysts expect it to rise by 51% in the next two years, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Shares have advanced 15% this year to Rs.2,030.80, compared with a 6% gain in the benchmark BSE Sensex.

“We have the balance sheet, the wherewithal, the cash flows and knowhow of running a cement unit,” Birla had said in a September interview with Bloomberg TV India, signaling his intent to expand through acquisitions. “Therefore, it is extremely attractive for us to expand in this market.”

His comments contrast those he had made six months earlier to the same television channel, when he said he would rather invest in countries including Brazil and Indonesia as frequent policy changes at home discouraged spending by companies.

Investors are betting elections, set to end 12 May, will herald a new government that will cut red tape and revive projects that are awaiting land acquisition to fuel supply. Most opinion polls show voters will punish the ruling Congress party after it failed to rein in graft and inflation. The surveys predict Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning the most seats in parliament, while falling short of a majority.

Buoying demand

“Brownfield projects are expected to take off in a significant way after elections,” said Deep Narayan Mukherjee, a Mumbai-based director at India Ratings and Research, the local unit of Fitch Ratings Ltd. “All this is likely to buoy cement demand in the coming quarters.”

Capacity addition is crucial for Ultratech to retain its leadership position, said Shah. In a $1 billion reorganization of its Indian businesses in July, Holcim said one of its subsidiaries, Ambuja Cements Ltd, would buy out the Swiss cement marker’s stake in the other, ACC Ltd, effectively bringing both under a single management.

In India, the merger will create the largest market share in the eastern states of West Bengal, Jharkhand and northern Odisha, making these the probable hotspots for asset sales, according to Mukherjee. Unlike southern India that suffers from oversupply, the eastern region has sufficient demand, making these assets among the most lucrative, he said.

Given the way Indian cement industry has been consolidating, it is reasonable to anticipate that the sector leaders will do something, Mukherjee said. The big boys in India will be pushed into action when the Holcim-Lafarge assets come up for sale. 

LAOS: SCG TO BUILD A NEW CEMENT FACTORY

SIAM CEMENT GROUP'S board of directors has approved a Bt10-billion investment to build its first cement factory in Laos, as the group continues to expand in Asean.

SCG also announced its first-quarter results yesterday, showing a 5-per-cent drop in net profit and 11-per-cent increase in sales revenues.

President and chief executive Kan Trakulhoon said the 1.8-million-tonne-a-year cement plant would be established in Khammouane province, Laos, and was scheduled to begin production in the second quarter of 2017.

"Demand for building materials in the region has continued to grow, especially in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. This cement plant will mainly serve demand in Laos and the Northeastern region of Thailand," he said.

Kan said SCG, which earlier announced a plan to build a cement factory in Myanmar, would accelerate its plan to set up its second cement plant in Cambodia. The company is also negotiating to buy a cement plant in Vietnam even though that country currently has a cement oversupply.

The group is negotiating many other merger and acquisition deals, one of which is expected to be concluded shortly, Kan said.

"SCG is moving ahead with every project that we have planned for Thailand and abroad, since we remain confident in the country's potential even though politics is still a risk factor," he said.

The company plans to invest between Bt40 billion and Bt50 billion this year. 

In its filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday, SCG disclosed the unreviewed consolidated financial statements of the parent firm and its subsidiaries for the first quarter. They showed profit for the period of Bt8.38 million, a decrease of 5 per cent year on year, because of a foreign-exchange gain of about Bt1 billion in the first quarter of 2013. Revenue from sales increased 11 per cent year on year to Bt121.77 billion, with growth in all business units.

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, profit for the period increased 5 per cent, attributed to the seasonal growth in the cement-building-materials business and the recovery of the paper business. Revenue from sales increased 17 per cent from increased quarter-on-quarter sales in all business units.

Kan said the first-quarter results were better than SCG had expected earlier, thanks mainly to an improvement in its chemical business. As a result, the group may raise its projection for the whole year from the 10-per-cent sales-growth target set previously.

Despite Thailand's political situation, domestic cement sales were up by around 4 per cent in the first three months while building-material sales went down 7-8 per cent. Nevertheless, the domestic cement market is expected to come down in the current second quarter because of a lack of government projects, putting the whole year's forecast at 0-3 per cent. However, demand in other Asean countries continues to be growing well, he said.

In terms of innovative products and high-value-added products, the board of directors of SCC has also approved a total investment of Bt1.825 billion for SCG Paper to upgrade the machines and appliances used in Thai Paper Co to manufacture glassine paper, a new interleaving paper used in pressure-sensitive labels, with the capacity of 60,000 tonnes per year. 

This investment will make SCG Paper the first company in Asean manufacturing glassine paper, serving increasing demand both locally and regionally. Production is expected to start by early 2016.

In early April, SCG Cement-Building Materials formed a joint venture with Florim Ceramiche, one of the leading global ceramic players, to invest in production facilities for high-end ceramics under the Cotto brand. With total investment of Bt506 million, SCG Cement-Building Materials will hold a 33-per-cent stake. The plant will be in Bologna, northern Italy, with a capacity of 5 million square metres per year, and the expected start-up is early next year.

SCG recorded revenue from exports in the first quarter at Bt32.625 billion, an increase of 12 per cent year on year. The company expects export will increase from the previous years. Currently, the export proportion of SCG increased 2 percentage points quarter on quarter, to 27 per cent.

In the quarter, sales of HVA products amounted to Bt40.894 billion, equivalent to 34 per cent of SCG's total sales. Furthermore, SCG's sales of SCG eco-value products amounted to Bt38.013 billion, equivalent to 31 per cent of the total.

As for SCG business in Asean markets outside Thailand, revenue from sales in the first quarter amounted to Bt10.261 billion, an increase of 24 per cent from the same period of last year, and accounted for 9 per cent of SCG's total sales revenue. Total assets of SCG in Asean as of March 31 amounted to Bt73.041 billion, 16 per cent of the total.

The SCG board also approved the appointment of Roongrote Rangsiyo-pash, president of SCG Paper, to take another position as executive vice president of the group, apparently to prepare him as the new president to succeed Kan. 

The board also promoted Cholanat Yanaranop, the head of chemical business, and Pichit Maipoom, the head of cement building materials, to take another post as senior vice president of the group. 

The appointments will be effective from July 1.

INDIA: Cement awaits huge investment dose

India will need an additional capacity of 330-380 million tonnes (mt) for cement and 240-270mt for clinker by 2025, which translates into an investment of Rs 3 lakh crore to meet the sharp increase in demand by this period.

The Indian cement industry is the second largest in the world with total production at around 221mt in 2012. However, the country fares poorly in terms of cement consumed per capita compared with other peer economies.

According to a CII-AT Kearney Study on “Cement Vision 2025: Scaling New Heights”, demand is projected to grow 2.5-2.7 times the current volume and reach 550-600mt per annum by 2025.

Per capita consumption is also likely to increase to 385-415kg from 185kg. This growth, the report said, is likely to be led by investments in the infrastructure sector, with sub-sectors such as roads, power and irrigation leading the charge.

However, an unattractive tax and infrastructure environment may stand in the way of the required investment of Rs 3 lakh crore.

The report observed that in addition to policies that encourage companies to bring in such investments, continuous improvement will have to be made to strengthen the industry’s operating cost structure by increasing automation and improving efficiency in power use.

Besides witnessing slack demand in the last couple of years, the domestic industry has seen a rise in supply-side problems.

The study said the share of coal in overall energy use declined to 35 per cent in 2011-12 from 65 per cent in 2005-06, leading to increased dependence on alternative sources.

“The need for quality logistics infrastructure (especially the railways), a shortage of skilled construction labour, and delays in getting land and environmental clearances make setting up much-needed additional capacity difficult,” the report stated.

“These factors, combined with the higher costs of fuel and financing, have put enormous pressure on the cost of cement manufacturing, which has risen 8 per cent annually during the past four years, despite the achieved efficiencies.”

CAMEROON: La chasse aux carrières

La quête de cet intrant dans la fabrication du ciment pousse les industries à de véritables raids sur les sites.

Carrière de Djoungo dans l’arrondissement de Mombo, département du Moungo. En cette matinée du lundi 21 avril, le soleil est haut. A la faveur de la tournée du gouverneur de la région du Littoral, les responsables de Cimencam ont laissé entrer la délégation. Dans ce site situé à environ 70 km de Douala, les mesures de sécurité sont strictes : port des Epi (équipements de protection individuelle) recommandé sur une plaque à gauche ; orientation précise sur le site : zone de criblage – zone de chargement – sommet. Là où nous n’irons pas. Trop risqué.

Juste à gauche du site, on peut voir une haute montagne, au milieu de laquelle dégringole une espèce de couche noirâtre. Au loin, on aperçoit des nuages de poussière. « Nous tenons beaucoup à la sécurité ici », lance un responsable. Un autre est plus explicite sur les opérations : « La pouzzolane noire est extraite et mélangée à la pouzzolane rouge. Le bulldozer, après le mélange, va verser le tout dans un camion qui, pesé, va transporter sur Douala. »

Selon nos sources, entre 26 et 29 tonnes par camion sortent par jour de cette carrière de Cimencam, quand la demande en pouzzolane est forte, avec au moins trois rotations par camion. Hors du site, on peut apercevoir d’autres carrières appartenant à des particuliers…

Ce manège ne laisse pas indifférente la commune de Mombo qui reconnaît en tirer des revenus. Ceux-ci varient en fonction de la tonne. Environ trente de millions F sont reversés par an. Mais le maire Jean Blaise Djouokou en veut plus : « Nous interpellons ces entreprises sur le souci d’accompagner le développement. Ces taxes ne suffisent plus à résoudre les problèmes des populations. Que désormais, le cadre formel réglementaire de la prise en compte du cahier de charge annuel des entreprises soit une chose vraie. » A en croire le maire, accompagner le développement sous-entendrait : soutenir des projets, notamment l’adduction en eau potable, la construction d’un dispensaire, du fait de la dangerosité et des menaces environnementales liées à l’émanation des poussières.

Le message « d’accompagnement du développement » vaut pour les autres entreprises telles que Cimaf, qui elle aussi exploite la pouzzolane pour son ciment déjà en production. Dangote, dans sa recherche a opté entre autres, pour la région du Sud-Ouest. L’exploitation, qui a démarré, empiète sur le territoire de la commune de Loum qui sent une menace poindre à l’horizon. Ici, on n’en est pas encore à profiter de la carrière, mais il y a nécessité de mettre un peu d’ordre, selon Guy Wambo, le maire de Loum. Lui aussi a apparemment déjà flairé quelques retombées…

ALGERIA: Le ciment, principale importation des matériaux de construction

Les capacités algériennes de production de ciment ne cessent d'augmenter. Mais les besoins sont tellement importants, au regard des milliers de chantiers lancés dans le cadre des différents plans, que l'Algérie continue à être un importateur net de ce produit. Si la facture d'importation des matériaux de construction flirte, bon an mal an, avec les 4 milliards de dollars américains, c'est en raison d'un déficit de production de près de 5 millions de tonnes par an de ce produit alors que la production nationale actuelle est de plus de 18 millions de tonnes/an.

En effet et selon les dernières statistiques des Douanes algériennes, la facture d'importation des matériaux de construction de l'Algérie a atteint 743,88 millions de dollars (usd) durant le 1er trimestre 2014 contre 784,01 millions à la même période de l'année écoulée, en baisse de 5,12%. Cette dernière s'accompagne, cependant d'une hausse des quantités importées.

Ainsi, les importations algériennes de matériaux de construction (ciments, bois et aciers) sont passées de 2,11 millions de tonnes à 2,17 millions de tonnes à la même période de comparaison, enregistrant une légère hausse de 2,84%, relève le Centre national de l'informatique et des statistiques des Douanes algériennes (Cnis).

La valeur des importations de ciment a atteint près de 102,76 millions de dollars durant les trois premiers mois de l'année en cours contre 82,60 millions de dollars à la même période en 2013, en hausse de 24,40%, précisent les chiffres du Cnis obtenus par l'APS. Les quantités de ciment importées ont également connu une augmentation de 19,61%, passant de 956 931 tonnes à 1,144 million de tonnes durant la même période de référence déjà citée. Selon une récente déclaration du ministre du Développement industriel et de la Promotion de l'investissement, Amara Benyounés, l'Algérie devrait cesser d'importer du ciment d'ici 3 à 4 ans, et ce, grâce au renforcement de ses capacités de production nationale.

Les importations de bois ont également augmenté de 5,66% en valeur, en dépit d'un recul des quantités durant le 1er trimestre 2014. Le montant des importations est passé de 200,61 millions de dollars à 211,96 millions de dollars, selon le Cnis. Pour la quantité importée, elle a été estimée à 377 732 tonnes contre 403 534 tonnes, en baisse de près de 6,4%. Les importations de fer et d'acier, quand à elles, se sont chiffrées à 429,16 millions de dollars contre 500,79 millions dollars, en baisse de 14,30%. Les quantités ont également connu la même tendance, passant de 754 104 tonnes à 649 370 tonnes, reculant de 13,88%.

En 2013, les importations algériennes des matériaux de construction ont reculé de près de 2%, totalisant 2,98 milliards de dollars, malgré une hausse de 20,10% des quantités qui ont atteint 8,66 millions de tonnes. Cette augmentation des quantités a été tirée essentiellement par des hausses des importations de ciment (55%) et de bois (5%), alors que celles de fer et d'acier avaient reculé de 11,4%.

NIGERIA: Dangote Cement Laments High Cost of Production, Pays N7 Dividend

Dangote Cement Plc has decried the high cost of production, which it explained has resulted to the rise in the price of cement in the country, even as it rewarded shareholders with a dividend of N7.00 per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2013.

Speaking at the company's 5th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, the chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said " We never envisaged that the cost of production will rise to this extent when we said that the price of cement will fall , but as you can see, foreign exchange rate has gone up, the same with the price of gas, and diesel .

We even constructed some of the roads our vehicles ply, all in a bid to make sure we continue production. We will continue to do our best to ensure that we sell our product moderately; after all, the price of our cement is relatively cheaper when compared to our competitors.

You can now order our product through your computers. We hope to increase our market share in the short term by increasing the level of direct-to customer deliveries and competing on product superiority."

Continuing, he said "Between eight to 10 weeks, our company will pump in nine million tons of cement representing a growth of 45 percent to the market. We want to serve our shareholders by giving you better returns on your investment.

Trading remains robust in the country, and we have experienced a solid start to the year with demand up in all regions.

We have embarked on an initiative to improve the standard of cement sold in Nigeria and our belief is that 42.5 strength cement is the most appropriate for general use. We are working closely with industry consumers such as block makers to ensure widespread education as to its use."

Meanwhile, the shareholders who spoke at the AGM commended the Board of Directors and management for the impressive results recorded during the year under review.

The shareholders' association leaders, such as Dr. Farouk Umar, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, Chief Sola Abodurin, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, among others commended Dangote for its contribution towards the growth of the company as well as the economy.

According to them, " Dangote Cement has done well. The company is paying us a dividend of N7.00 per 50 kobo share, an increase of about 133 percent from what it paid last year.

The company's turnover improved from N285 billion to N371 billion in the financial year under review. The same for profitability; it increased from N146 billion in the previous year to N210 billion. So, we are very happy for the performance and hope to get higher dividend come next year."