The National Treasury has officially designated cement and, from November 4, the use of imported cement will be prohibited on all government-funded projects.

Consolidated concrete and cement association Cement and Concrete SA (CCSA) CEO Bryan Perrie says the National Treasury has issued a circular to all relevant State departments of the new ruling in terms of the Preferential Procurement Regulations.

The designation prescribes that all organs of State must, from November 4, stipulate in tender invitations that only South African-produced cement, produced with locally-sourced raw materials, will be allowed for use on all public sector construction projects.

Treasury has stipulated a 100% threshold for both common and masonry cements.

Perrie says the cement industry, which had lobbied for State protection against cheaper imported cement for several years now, is delighted at the designation of cement.

“This is an important ruling to protect a sector vitally important for the national economy. Furthermore, it has come at the right time in view of the multibillion-rand infrastructure projects planned by the government over the next three years,” he states.

The government last year announced 50 strategic infrastructure projects and 12 special projects as the initial phase of a wide-ranging infrastructure spending programme to aid post-pandemic recovery efforts.

“The designation of cement will assist in protecting the local cement industry from unfair competition. In countries such as Kenya, for one, rampant imports have all but destroyed local cement production.

"Although cheaper imported cements reaching South Africa may conform to regulatory standards, South African cement producers have to comply with a Mining Charter, transformation targets, and social and labour plans, all of which importers do not have to comply with. In addition, local producers are subject to Carbon Tax which the importers are also exempt from,” Perrie says.

The designation of cement will apply to all projects involving State entities, including national, provincial and local authorities, as well as State-owned enterprises.

CCSA has also applied for a Sunset Review of the anti-dumping tariffs imposed on Pakistani cement in 2015.

An investigation in this regard has been initiated by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa.