Lafarge Zimbabwe finds cash shortages restrictive

Lafarge Zimbabwe's cement sales for the interim period "were subdued due to increased competitive activity in the total market following the influx of cement imports into the country as well as the entrance of a major competitor" in the Harare market.

Cash shortages in Zimbabwe have caused delays in disbursing remittances to foreign creditors, the chairman of Swiss-based LafargeHolcim’s unit in the country, Lafarge Zimbabwe, said last week as the country readied itself for the introduction of local bond notes next month.

"The low foreign currency reserves resulted in lengthy delays in disbursing remittances to foreign creditors," Lafarge Zimbabwe chairman Kumbirai Katsande said.

Cement sales revenue for the period increased from US$25.4m to US$26.5m although the group posted a comprehensive loss for the period of US$2.25m from the previous contrasting period’s loss position of US$1.39m.

Lafarge competes in the Zimbabwean cement market with a unit of South Africa’s PPC and SinoZim Cement. PPC Zimbabwe saw its volumes fall 22 per cent owing to cash shortages in the economy.

Lafarge Zimbabwe are finding it difficult to operate within the current structure of the domestic industry and financial framework. "Import restrictions are helpful but will not be a substitute for the dire need for a radical shift in economic policies so as to stimulate the productive sector. The government should move with speed to correct the management of public finances in line with the state of the economy," Katsande added.

The company had current liabilities of US$29.3m, an increase of 26 per cent as a result of "trade and other payables and related party payables."