Cement holding Lafarge-Maroc sales increases by 3.6 %

The sales of the cement holding Lafarge-Maroc increased by 3.6 per cent in 2000 going up from 1.98 billion DH ($188.9 Million) in 1999 to 2.05 billion DH in 2000.

General manager of the group, Jean Marie Schmitz, who was presenting to the media here Tuesday the balance sheet of the group's activities in the past year and prospects for 2001 said the overall sales progressed by 3.4 per cent thanks to an outstanding increase of the markets of the north, mainly those of Tangier and Tetuan, and a slight increase in the region of Meknes.

The group's various branches -Lafarge Betons, Gravel maroc and Lafarge platre-also recorded an increase of their benefits, the manager said adding the group is forecasting a market increase of 5 to 6 per cent in 2001.

The group will start implementing in the course of the current year the investment program worth 2.3 billion DH it is projecting over three years, he said. The program will start by the construction of a 960,000 ton capacity cement factory in Tetuan. The factory will start operating by 2003.

Lafarge Maroc is the leader on the Moroccan cement market with more than 40 per cent of this market.