Joaquim David, Minister of Geology, Mining and Industry, announced that important projects were underway to curb Angola’s shortage of construction materials, in view of local needs.

The official was speaking to journalists in Catumbela Industrial Growth Point (PDIC), ahead of the inauguration of the Cimenfort cement plant, owned by Grupo Genea Angola.

Answering to a question whether the opening of the plant was bringing the price of cement down, the minister said that even if that did not happen, it would be important to have access to local raw materials and provide jobs and revenues for the state.

As to the consumption needs, Joaquim David said that between 2012 and 2013, the country has a 6Mta cement requirement, adding this need would increase by around eight per cent annually.

He mentioned other plants like those of Bom Jesus and Nova Cimangola, in Luanda, whose production is still insufficient.

The official spoke of the interest in construction of other plants, in addition to expand existing ones to increase production.

He said he hopes Angola will gain some self-sufficiency in terms of supply of cement by 2017-18, or else the country will continue to import as in the present case.