Binani drops Mauritius project

Indian cement maker Binani Cement has abandoned its Rs 600 mn Mauritius project. A key issue cited by the company is the lack of area granted to the company by the Mauritius Port Authority. Rajesh Kumar Bagri, Director of Binani Cement, says that the company will receive only four hectares from the Mauritius Ports Authority for the cement. This is not enough. Initially, there was talk that 6.5 ha would be available to Binani, he added. In addition, a challenge to the licence obtained after the Environmental Impact Assessment, delays and increasing costs have contributed to the company's decision to withdraw from the market. Local operators have also questioned the relevance of having a third player in the market, which absorbs 0.65-0.68 mta, especially as Holcim (Mauritius) and Lafarge (Mauritius) are able to meet domestic demand.