Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL) has announced the successful commissioning of its subsidiary Pacific Cement Pte Ltd’s (PCL) repaired cement mill, marking a significant milestone for the company. Deputy chairman of FHL, Sakiusa Raivoce, affirmed that production has resumed, enabling PCL to supply both bulk and bagged cement to its customers once again. “Cement supply in the market is now normalized,” Mr. Raivoce stated in an announcement to the South Pacific Stock Exchange.
During this period of recovery, FHL expressed gratitude to its customers, partners, and stakeholders for their continued patience and support. The company is also advancing plans to upgrade the existing cement mill, which aims to mitigate potential future risks and enhance the mill’s long-term reliability. This upgrade is particularly crucial as Fiji’s construction sector, despite experiencing recent challenges, is poised for demand growth.
In March, PCL temporarily halted production due to a significant breakdown. The repair work involved the installation of a crucial mill component by a specialized engineering team, which was completed just last month. Prior to resuming operations, PCL was faced with importation considerations to meet local demand, as disruptions in production had forced the slight reliance on external supply.
This updated status comes amid broader efforts within the cement manufacturing sector to stabilize the supply chain in light of previous slowdowns, highlighted by an 8.9% decline in the value of completed infrastructure projects. However, with the resumption of PCL’s operations, the outlook appears brighter, suggesting that local suppliers are aligning to meet the rising demand for construction materials effectively.
The proactive measures taken by both PCL and regulators like the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) reflect a unified commitment to prevent shortages and support the local economy. As PCL navigates through these operational improvements, the construction materials market in Fiji shows promising signs of resilience and potential for future growth, which is encouraging for all stakeholders involved.
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