-company cites ongoing ‘positive’ development in new investment

AS Guyana’s construction industry continues to expand, one of the country’s major suppliers of cement has upgraded its services to providing concrete, utilising innovative technology.

On Thursday afternoon , Mexico’s global firm CEMEX and its subsidiary, Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) Guyana Incorporated commissioned its new concrete plant, which the company noted is a “major investment” in response to the building needs of Guyana – described by officials of the entity as one of its key markets within the region.

Roder Ramdwar , Business Manager of TCL Guyana Inc., told a gathering, which included Minister of Finance , Winston Jordan and Mexican Ambassador to Guyana , Ivan Medel at the brief ceremony at the company’s base on Water Street, that the company is here to stay and will offer the products on which it has built its reputation.

“As a company comprising Guyanese nationals and given our strong commitment of enhancing contribution towards the growth of Guyana, we felt strongly that the time is now for us to expand our offerings and birth a concrete division,” he said.

Ramdwar said the plant is one which took significant investments, and which provides a wide range of cutting-edge solutions. He said the plant is ideally equipped with onsite laboratory facilities that are further backed by state-of- the-art international research and development in Switzerland. He said the plant will be manned by a vibrant, “research driven” and well trained all–Guyanese team.

Ramdwar said the company is confident that with its new robust offerings of cement and now concrete, the firm is “well –outfitted to embrace the ongoing positive transformation of this gem that is Guyana.”

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan commended the initiative. He said the move bodes well for Guyana and he noted that government welcomes all investments made here. He noted that cement remains an important aspect of the infrastructure and he noted that cement is likely to play an important role in Guyana’s evolving oil and gas industry. He said Guyana remains open to business and he noted that the possibility of manufacturing cement here should not be ruled out. Shyam Nokta , President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GM&SA), said the effort by Cemex/TCL Guyana Inc. to expand its operations here is one that demonstrates “confidence in Guyana and what the future holds.”

He said the opportunities, which can emerge from the initiative, include expansion of the country’s infrastructure. He said Guyana has embraced a “green pathway” and that also realises looking at alternative type of materials. He reminded that concrete is the foundation of what many things are built on and will remain so in the future. He said it provides an opportunity to provide international best practices in areas such as health, safety and the environment, good governance and innovation and technology transfer.

Nokta also urged the company to explore the idea of manufacturing cement here in Guyana. Ambassador Ivan Medel deemed the move a transformative one. He said it is the starting point of the transitioning process and he noted that CEMEX, the parent company of TCL, is confirming a long-term “bet” on the future of Guyana. He said Guyana and Mexico have been enjoying economic relations in many areas, including in the area of rice export. He described the move by CEMEX/TCL as a good business case in Guyana’s development.