Venezuela’s Minister of Industries, Wilmer Barrientos, said representatives of the country’s central bank would visit cement companies to find solutions to the sector’s issues. The visits would be part of the government’s efforts to revive cement production in the country. “Those [cement companies] who need to be strengthened, we will strengthen,” he said. The central bank welcomed the measures and confirmed its technical support.

While the minister did not give a figure for the government’s total debt with the cement industry, he said a schedule had been drawn up to pay off the “small debts” it has with the sector. “Payment of these small debts we have with the sector will enable these companies to continue functioning and operationally empower them,” he added.

Barrientos also announced that this year’s cement output rose by 12 per cent. He added that the cement producers would manufacturer sufficient cement for Misión Vivienda Venezuela, the country’s social housing programme, and that there would be no cement shortage in the country.