The Ministry of External Trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has imposed an import ban on a selection of goods, Including cement which is expected to impact on Zambian cement producers.

A circular dated 25 August 2017 and signed by Minister of External Trade Jean-Lucien Bussa Tongba, included cement on this list of products, reports the Zambia Daily Mail Ltd.

The ban is meant to protect local industries, as well as to curb fraud and other illegal practices in the importation of goods. The Global Cement Report,12th Edition, stated that DR Congo imported 2.2Mt of cement and clinker in 2015 and was forecast to import 1.8Mt in 2017.