Discouraged, Binani Cement Project Abandoned Its In Mauritius

Barriers have multiplied, delaying its implementation and increasing the cost. The Indian company Binani Cement (BC) has decided to abandon its cement project in Red Sea, which would require an investment of Rs 600 million.

Reached by telephone yesterday from India, Rajesh Kumar Bagri, director of BC, says "we will receive only 4 hectares of the Mauritius Ports Authority for the cement. This is not enough. Initially, there was talk that 6.5 acres are available to us. " Other problems have also arisen, including the challenge of the license to Environmental Impact Assessment, obtained by the Indian company.

Holcim (Mauritius) Ltd and Lafarge (Mauritius) Cement there are such opposites. They, however, withdrew their complaint. But in the meantime, more than two years have elapsed, causing an increase in the cost of the project, which also included a bagging unit.

Criticisms were also made by the political parties of the opposition, arguing that the plant was a source of pollution. Rajesh Kumar Bagri was then assured that the best technologies are used to protect the environment.

Local operators have, meanwhile, questioned the relevance of having a third competitor on the cement market (650 000 to 680 000 tonnes are used annually).

Especially, they argue, they are able to meet the demand. BC's decision to set up in Mauritius, taken in 2009, in line with its plans to expand its activities to explore new markets in the African region. 
Maurice The group considered that, because of its geographical position in relation to Africa, Asia and Europe, was an interesting place for activities and free port of export.

He proposed to make Mauritius a hub to supply the regional market of cement. Mauritians have been "a consistent quality product", "fresher" and more value-added varieties, indicates the direction of BC. Clinker, which in the manufacture of cement, would be imported from India and China. Approximately 55% of the production would be exported, with the remainder going to the local market. BC had produced 1.5 million tons of cement annually.