China National Building Material (CNBM) said it agreed to purchase a 18.7 per cent equity interest in Southwest Cement Co from Zhonghai Trust Co Ltd for CNY1918m (US$295.1m).

The acquisition would increase CNBM’s stake from 70 per cent to 88.7 per cent. It would strengthen CNBM’s bottom line, quality asset management and improve return on investment as the southwestern China market continues to improve as a result of supply-side structural reforms.