Despite Government claims of recovery in the cement industry, the Incorporated Master Builders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ) continues to insist that Jamaica is still facing a shortage of the product.

The Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce (MITEC) reported yesterday that supply totalled approximately 600,000 tonnes. But speaking yesterday after the weekly meeting between ministry officials and stakeholders, IMAJ president Michael Archer told The Gleaner that supply still lagged behind what the association expects to be total demand of 1.2 million tonnes for the year.

Still a shortage

"We are coming to the end of the eighth month and we would consider 600,000 at this stage to be behind and clearly, from our understanding, what is happening in the market is more demand than supply so yes, there is still a shortage," said Mr. Archer.

He said confidence within the industry was only likely with the return of a two-week inventory system.

Carib Cement has also reported that its plant has returned to its 3,000 tonnes per day capacity with their expansion programme on target for completion by mid-2008. This will push capacity to 1.2 million tonnes of clinker (the main components in cement) and 1.8 million tonnes of cement.