Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem discussed with a delegation from Cemex the parent company of Assiut Cement led by President of Cemex Egypt & UAE Antonio Díaz the firm’s vision for aligning with the State’s industrial development plans and promoting sustainable industry.
During the meeting, the minister affirmed the Ministry of Industry’s support for all efforts exerted by companies to reduce environmentally harmful emissions, through adoption of modern technologies and innovation in manufacturing, alongside rationalizing energy consumption and relying on alternative fuels.
Hashem noted that all efforts contributed to enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian exports, especially in European Union (EU) markets and aligning with the standards of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The minister stressed the importance of increasing the company’s production capacity to meet local market needs and keep pace with the urban boom and national projects, in addition to satisfying growing demand from foreign markets for cement and its products.
He also highlighted the need to expand cement feeder industries to deepen local manufacturing and increase added value. The meeting reviewed an overview of Cemex, which was founded nearly 120 years ago and currently owns 52 factories across 26 countries, employing around 39,000 workers.
The company’s efforts to achieve sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of the industry were also discussed as part of its plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The discussions further addressed the activities of the company’s plant in Upper Egypt for cement and clinker production, which has been operating for 27 years, as well as the company’s projects in waste treatment and converting waste into alternative fuel (RDF) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, in addition to producing environmentally friendly products.
For his part, Díaz said Egypt represents a strategic market for the company, stressing Cemex’s commitment to aligning its operations with the State priorities to promote sustainable industry and provide advanced low-carbon building solutions that support the Egyptian economy.