Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd, a leading cement manufacturing company, has recently been awarded with the ’Desher Kagoj Business Award 2007’ for its outstanding performance in the industry.

’Desher Kagoj’ is a weekly business magazine of the country. The magazine took the initiative to recognise the entrepreneurs and businessmen for their achievements and outstanding performances in their respective fields.

Holcim Bangladesh is the first cement company in the country to introduce application-based masonry cement. It is also the first company to achieve ISO 14001, which is given for environmental practice in professional arena.

Holcim Bangladesh brought a new arena to the cement industry of the country by exporting cement to northeastern part of India.

Holcim had significant participation in building the cement roads at Gazipur and Pabna. The company is also actively involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

As part of CSR, in 2003 the company took an initiative to provide insurance coverage for masons through Pragati Insurance, a leading insurance company of the country.

Since then the company has enlisted about 4,000 masons, from all over the country under this insurance scheme. Holcim has also introduced scholarships for the masons’ children under certain criteria.

Niaz Uddin Mahmood, Vice President--Business Development of Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd took the award on behalf of the company. Mahmood in his speech said that Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd is proud to have this award and will always try to establish exemplary performance in cement industry and will continue to contribute in the development of the country.

Hossain Zillur Rahman, Adviser for Commerce and Education, was the chief guest at the function. Annisul Huq, President of FBCCI, and other high officials were present at the award-giving ceremony. Shankar Kumar Roy, GM--Business Development of Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd was also present at the ceremony.
Dalmia Cement to invest more on expansion, India
 
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd is likely to invest about INR10.75bn more to fund its two upcoming greenfield cement plants in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, a senior company official said on Friday.

"We are implementing cement expansion at two sites. These plants are of 2.25Mt each and will take total capacity to 8Mt on completion," Managing Director Puneet Dalmia told investors on a conference call.

"The total capex envisaged for both these projects is INR15.50bn, of which we have already incurred INR4.75bn in financial year 2008," he said.