Pacific Cement To Import From Vietnam
Pacific Cement Limited will be importing 25,000 tonnes of cement from Vietnam.
The imported cement is of the same quality as those produced at Paicific Cement.
This was confirmed by Pacific Cement Limited Director Nouzab Fareed.
The cement would cost $5.8million.
The demand for cement continues to be higher then what the two cement factories at Lami can supply. This is a result of increased construction work in the country. Pacific Cement and Tengy Cement Limited are the cement producing companies in Fiji.
Mr Fareed said the imported cement will narrow the big gap between demand and supply. “The cost of import is almost the same as our selling price, so we might not get any profit out of this exercise, but we want to make sure that the markets and the players are happy and also the Government is happy,” he said.
The imported cement is expected to arrive later this month – before the installment of the Pacific Cement factory’s new Trunnion Gear Assembly.
The mill would remain closed until early September for the installation.
He said a major component of the mill is ready in New Zealand and once it arrives in Fiji, the mill will close for instalment.
Once installments are completed, the mill is expected to return to full operation.
The company is also expected to recommence serving its export markets.
Cement exports had ceased for at least three month.
“We want to go back to the export market, these countries suffered more than Fiji.” Mr Fareed said. “We are hopeful that we will be back to 100 per cent production by October after this major repair.” Mr Fareed added that they will also be installing a pre-grinding mill early next year which would increase cement capacity.
The company did not perform well in the last financial year because of constant mill breakdowns.
Mr Fareed said their profit declined by 35 per cent. Feedback: selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj