Imported cement to ease shortage

Imported cement to ease shortage
11 April 2006


More than 200,000t of cement will be imported into Jamaica in the coming weeks in an attempt to address the severe shortage of the commodity on the local market.


Minister of Information and Development, Senator Colin Campbell made the disclosure yesterday while addressing the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.


"Cabinet did deal with the cement situation and I am happy to report that ... the cement supply situation was steadily improving even though there is still some level of shortage in the market," said Mr. Campbell.


The minister revealed that the importation was being done through the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, which will this week finalise an agreement with the Government of Cuba for 64,000t to be delivered in three tranches.


The first shipment, he said, is expected within the next two to three weeks.


Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and Planning has approved some 150,000t of cement imports with the first shipment expected within a matter of weeks. Other imports include 20,000t by local manufacturer Caribbean Cement Company.



Published under Cement News