Namibia: Chinese Cement Imports a 'Danger' to Ohorongo
Post Date: 08 Aug 2011 Viewed: 496
Increasing cement imports from Asia, in particular China, are threatening Ohorongo, and jobs at the plant.
Just last week, a ship carrying 16 000 tonnes of cement arrived in Namibia from China, the managing director of Ohorongo Cement, Hans-Wilhelm Schutte, said on Tuesday.
"If we continue to increase the import of cement, then everything is not guaranteed anymore at Ohorongo Cement. Job opportunities, value addition, debushing projects and outsourcing of some activities at Ohorongo will be in danger," said Schutte.
Namibia has about five companies that import cement products from China, Portugal, Brazil, as well as from South African cement manufacturer AfriSam, which had been the market leader before Ohorongo opened its doors at Otavi early this year.
However, Schutte said the sale of Ohorongo cement in Namibia has increased tremendously since the company opened its doors, adding that they are enjoying fair competition in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
"But our concern now is towards the increase of cement from Asia," he said. Meanwhile, in June this year, Ohorongo Cement signed its first deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and will start exporting approximately 18 000 tonnes of cement to that market.
Ohorongo Cement will provide nearly 300 job opportunities at full capacity, and currently employs 270 workers on a permanent basis.