This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Heba Press – Yassin Al-Damiri
The cement industry is one of the most important strategic industries that constitute a fundamental pillar of the building and construction sector, making it an integral part of economic development and infrastructure plans.
Despite this importance, this industry raises many problems, notably those related to its environmental and social impacts, in addition to suspicions of monopoly and greed surrounding certain companies controlling the market.
“LafargeHolcim” Morocco: astonishing profits and a controversial monopoly
In Morocco, LafargeHolcim is considered one of the most important players in the cement market, as it largely dominates the sector, which has led to significantly higher prices for its products compared to other countries like l Egypt and Turkey.
This reality raises questions about market regulation mechanisms and the extent of economic justice, especially with the continued increase in demand for cement due to the large projects that our country is witnessing with a view to organizing next year’s Africa Cup and the World Cup in 2030.
Parliamentarian Abdullah Buano pointed out that importing cement from countries like Turkey and Egypt, including shipping and transportation costs, could be much cheaper than current cement prices in Morocco, which are controlled by large companies such as “LafargeHolcim”.
Huge profits and an interesting comparison
Reports indicate that LafargeHolcim Maroc’s profits are the highest in the world and even exceed those of its parent company in France. This is due to the low costs of raw materials and labor in Morocco and the absence of a real role for the Competition Council. control prices.
These huge profits are in addition to major state-supported projects, such as the housing assistance program and major infrastructure projects in preparation for hosting the World Cup. This dynamic has pushed some activists to demand the imposition of additional taxes on monopolistic companies and the adoption of legislation regulating price increases, given that cement is considered a strategic material that affects the economic security of the country .
Environmental and social impacts: a harsh reality
On the other hand, the areas which house the “LafargeHolcim” factories are often among the most fragile and marginalized in Morocco, and this is a subject to which we will dedicate a report in the coming days, because these areas continue to experience great impoverishment in absence of real development projects capable of restoring their image among the affected populations.
Added to this are serious environmental and health damages caused by cement plants, from environmental pollution and depletion of natural resources such as bushes, to the negative impact on the health of residents living nearby of these factories.
These practices raise questions about the absence of real development projects in these areas and the shortcomings of the concept of “citizen business”, supposed to create added value contributing to improving the conditions of the population and promoting sustainable development.
A call for change
Faced with these challenges, it has become necessary for the Moroccan government to strengthen the legislation governing the activity of cement factories, to impose strict price controls, in addition to imposing an additional tax allocated to the development of the areas affected by the cement plants, and guarantee the commitment of companies to adopt development strategies that take into account the environment and society.
Benefiting from international experiences in regulating this industry can help achieve a balance between profitability and social responsibility, so as to meet development needs without harming the environment and citizens who live near these companies.
