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PM wants cement giant to make over into construction-materials maker
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on the Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation to develop into a construction-materials group in the next decade with cement as its major product, the Government Office said.
He wants Vicem, as the enterprise is called, to restructure and improve its distribution network and efficiency, curb costs, expand production, and ensure sufficient supply of cement, the Office said.
Mr. Dung had met with Vicem’s top executives at the end of March to discuss these issues.
He also wants the corporation to fix cement prices according to the price ordinance, embrace the market, and be competitive.
It can import coal for its production, establish cement factories in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China, form a joint venture with Lao partners to exploit and process gypsum, he said.
The PM ordered the Ministry of Construction to review the cement projects that have been licensed, closely monitor their implementation, and ensure they have sufficient feedstock.
He instructed it to strengthen inspection and oversight of cement factories and mines situated near tourist areas to minimize their effect on tourism and ensure they meet environmental norms.
He also approved Vicem’s plans to build a cement-grinding plant by in Ben Tre Province.
Cement firms’ efforts to improve technologies to generate energy from waste and reduce emissions, and protect the environment would be subsidized loans, he said.
He urged Vicem to develop export strategies centered on the “Vicem” trademark.
Earlier, at the meeting with Vicem executives, he had said: “[This year] will see 18 more cement factories come into operation with a capacity of over 20 million tons a year. VICEM has, therefore, to give focus on marketing in the interest of both distributors and manufacturers.”
To address the industry’s low productivity and delay in executing projects, he had asked the giant enterprise to focus on key products, not hesitate to reshuffle personnel, and make greater use of information technology.
He acknowledged Vicem’s contribution to the nation, especially in keeping prices stable over the past decade despite the surging in prices of electricity and coal.
Vicem has 35.5 percent of domestic firms’ cement capacity and 38.7 percent of the overall market share.
VietNamNet, Sai Gon Giai Phong
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