Carib Cement Forges Relationship with Belize

December 3, 2009

"Jamaica has always enjoyed a special relationship with Belize and it is moments like these that help to solidify our friendship and build economic ties", so said the Hon. Minister of Works Anthony 'Boots' Martinez as he addressed a luncheon hosted by Carib Cement in Belize for their new  business partners. Carib Cement recently became the newest member of the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) and held the luncheon at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City, to meet other members of the organisation.

Mr. Martinez welcomed Carib Cement to Belize and said that the company was there for "the long haul" if it remained "competitive in price and superior in quality". He said that for forty years, Belize has depended on cement from Latin America but now had a choice with the introduction of products from the Caribbean. He shared that buildings in Belmopan, the capital, were built with cement made by Carib Cement shortly after the company started manufacturing in 1952.

According to Mr. Martinez, Jamaica is the biggest CARICOM trading partner with Belize, supplying over 40% of imports from the region. He told the members of the BCCI that Belize must strive for a greater volume of trade and that two-way trade will make shipping more economical. He challenged them to establish a "zero tolerance on empty ship returns". He informed that Belize was preparing to export fish and beef to Jamaica.

The function was chaired by the president of the BCCI, Mrs Amparo Masson, who also welcomed Carib Cement and said that the advent of Carib Cement has disproved the idea that trade with Belize was difficult because of the distance. Also in attendance and welcoming Carib Cement, was the Hon. Minister of the Public Service and Elections & Boundaries, John Saldivar.

Belize is the second country in close proximity to Jamaica to which Carib Cement is now exporting. The company made its first shipment to the Cayman Islands in October. Carib Cement has exported in excess of 85,000 tonnes of cement since the beginning of the year to many countries in the Caribbean region.

Carib Cement's general manager, Anthony Haynes said that his company lived up to its watch words "more than just cement" and not only manufactured and supplied cement but provided a building solution. This he added is why Carib Cement followed up sales with technical support. The company has arranged a concrete seminar for engineers and four concrete workshops for masons in Belize. In October, Carib Cement held a concrete seminar in the Cayman Islands for engineers and building contractors.

Carib Cement has had to and continues to aggressively seek export markets for its excess capacity due to the company's increased production from its US$177 million Expansion & Modernisation Programme and a shrinking domestic market.

From left, Carib Cement's general manager, Anthony Haynes greets the Hon. Minister of Works, Anthony 'Boots' Martinez and Amparo Masson, president of the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) at the Carib Cement luncheon recently held in Belize City to meet other members of the business community .