The Mozambican Ministry of Industry and Trade is considering imposing a quota system for imported cement later this year, in order to protect Mozambican cement producers, according to a report in Thursday’s issue of the independent newsheet "Mediafax".

Currently there are five cement factories in the country, but in the near future at least three more will begin production.

"Last year several production lines were inaugurated, increasing the supply of cement in the northern and central regions of the country, and this year new factories will start operations", said the Minister of Industry and Trade, Armando Inroga, cited by the paper. "When national production capacity means that we don’t need to import cement, then we shall reduce imports, or fix quotas for imports".

He hoped that soon all the cement used in Mozambique will have been produced in the country, and will be sold at competitive prices.