Indian cement maker Binani Cement has pulled the plug on its Mauritius project. A key issue cited by the company are the lack of area granted to the company by the Mauritius Port Authority. Rajesh Kumar Bagri, director of Binani Cement, says: "We will receive only four hectares from the Mauritius Ports Authority for the cement. This is not enough. Initially, there was talk that 6.5ha would be available to us. "

In addition, a challenge to the licence obtained after the Environmental Impact Assessment, delays and increasing costs have contributed to the company’s decision to withdraw from the market.

Local operators have also questioned the relevance of having a third player in the market, which absorbs 0.65-0.68Mta, especially as Holcim (Mauritius) Ltd and Lafarge (Mauritius) are able to meet domestic demand.