Samuda hails expansion work at Caribbean Cement Company Limited

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, has lauded the expansion work being carried out at the Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL).

He said that he was impressed with the level of work that has been done and the kind of investment that has been made over the years.

“To have visited this plant in 2008 on my first assignment as Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, and to be back now to see the level of expansion, the level of efficiency, and the level of applied technology is heart-warming. To experience the people at work, Jamaicans at work, fully trained by the company on a continuing basis under the kind of leadership that is assisting the company to grow is very gratifying to me. This Caribbean Cement Company is real industry, and when we speak of the Ministry being Industry and Commerce, this is a reflection of what we mean by industry”, the Minister said.

Minister Samuda, who was on a tour of the Caribbean Cement Company Limited facilities in Rockfort, on Wednesday, October 11, said that he was pleased to see what has been taking place, at how the whole environment at the facility has improved as it is no longer a dust bowl and a heat bowl. He further commended the management team on the importance which they have placed on safety at the plant and the welfare of its staff.

In the meantime, as it relates to the disposal of the old equipment at the plant, the Minister has encouraged the general manager, Mr. Peter Donkersloot, to dispose of them quickly to the scrap metal trade, earning some well needed foreign exchange, as well as, bringing some tangible growth to that industry.

“As soon as you are ready, let us sit down and discuss how you can get rid of some of that stuff that you will never use again, so that they can be utilized in earning some well needed foreign exchange. In the industrial sector, this company offers the greatest opportunity to achieve growth, which is what we are striving to achieve”, the Minister informed.

Caribbean Cement Company has invested more than US$50 million in the company. Today, the company is part of the global organization – CEMEX, with operational presence in 50 countries, commercial trading in 100 countries, and more than 41,000 employees.

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