Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has announced the forcible nationalisation of the country's cement industry. He said in a televised speech that the country could no longer allow cement to be exported when it was needed to help curb Venezuela's housing shortage. Venezuela will force cement companies to sell stakes of at least 60% to the government as it seeks to gain control over "basic business," energy and oil minister Rafael Ramirez said in a second broadcast. The three leading players in the Venezuelan cement sector are Cemex, Holcim and Lafarge, which have a total capacity of 8.5 million tonnes per year. A statement from market leader Ccmex said, "Cemex expresses its willingness to engage in a dialogue with the authorities to find a mutually satisfactory solution." Similar sentiments were echoed by Lafargc spokesperson Lucy Saint-Antonin, "I can confirm that we have been informed of the Venezuelan government's intentions. We are open to starting discussions with the government, to find a solution which is in the interests of both parties and which protects our employees," she said.
展开▼
