Lafarge Pakistan Cement (LP), which is Pakistan’s largest producer of cement, reportedly intends to invest in Tajikistan’s economy.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Industry (MoEI), the LP delegation, led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amr Ali Reda, has arrived in Tajikistan to discuss cooperation issues.

On Monday November 11, the LP delegation members met here with senior representatives of a MoEI.  The sides reportedly discussed issues related to expansion of bilateral cooperation and activities of the Tajikistan-Pakistan commission for trade and economic cooperation.

They agreed that the cement production issue will be tabled to the agendas of the commission’s sessions, an official source at a MoEI said.

While in Tajikistan, the LP representatives intend to meet with senior representatives of Tajikistan’s largest cement producers Tojikcement (Dushanbe cement plant) and Huaxin Gayur Cement.

We will recall that a new cement plant, built by Huaxin Gayur Cement, was introduced into operation in the Yovon district last August.  This 1Mta Greenfield plant is reportedly Tajikistan a step closer to achieving its aim of self sufficiency in the cement sector.

Currently, cement demand in Tajikistan is well ahead of production levels and imports continue to play an important role. However, the Tajik government has attracted foreign investment to expand its cement production base.

It is not the first visit of the LP delegation to Tajikistan.  In May 2012, the LP delegation, led by its executive director Rehman Khan, held talks here with senior representatives of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade on launching joint ventures in Tajikistan.  A government press report noted on May 11, 2012 that LP is ready to invest funds into the Tajik economy and is investigating the conditions related to placing capital investments into industrial enterprises.

Lafarge Pakistan Cement (LP) is a part of Lafarge, world leader of construction materials.  Lafarge Pakistan Cement Ltd was incorporated in Pakistan on May 23, 1993 as a private limited company, subsequently converted into a public limited company on October 18, 1994.  The state-of-the-art plant commenced commercial operations in December 2006 with an annual cement production capacity of 2.5 million tons, thus becoming the largest production line in Pakistan.  Islamabad-based Lafarge Pakistan Cement produces, sells, and exports cement under the PAKCEM brand.  Lafarge Pakistan Cement is a subsidiary of Pakistan Cement Holding Ltd, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, whereas its ultimate parent company is Lafarge SA, France.