Trinidad: Regional cement manufacturer ventures into Haiti
Published:Wednesday | August 17, 2011 | 9:35 AM
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - The regional cement manufacturer, Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL), Wednesday announced that it had entered into a long term agreement with the Win Group of Haiti to establish and operate a cement terminal in the earthquake battered French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
“We are happy that this project will create much needed jobs in Haiti and will continue to send the message to the international community that Haiti is in fact open for business,” said senior WIN Group’s official, Youri Mevs.
TCL said that the terminal represents the group’s determination to “ make a more fundamental investment in Haiti and significantly assist in the massive reconstruction efforts” following the earthquake in January last year that killed an estimated 300,000 people and left more than a million others homeless.
It said that the first phase of the project will result in the establishment of a cement warehouse facility that should become operational within six months. It will be supplied with products from the Jamaica-based Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL).
The second phase will be the establishment of a 400,000mt Cement Terminal over a three to four year period.
“Carib Cement, by virtue of its proximity and surplus production capacity is best poised to deliver cement supplies for the Haitian Government’s ‘Action Plan for the National Recovery and Development of Haiti’ and the Private Sector’s ‘Vision and Roadmap for Haiti’ in a most reliable and timely manner,” said the chief executive officer of the TCL Group, Dr. Rollin Bertrand.
“This is not uncharted territory for CCCL, as the company has been supplying Haiti with (cement) …in modest quantities through a reputable distributor… for the last year.”
TCL said that is also keen to participate in and support the Haitian government’s mandate for establishing suitable building codes. The company will also offer appropriate training in the proper use of cement and concrete for masons/contractors and other construction industry personnel on a wider national level.