On the auspicious occasion of the 67th Independence Day of Pakistan, commemorating the birth of this great nation, I proudly congratulate and extend my sincere felicitations to the Government of Pakistan and the people of the land of the Pure. I take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister, Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif for his continuing support to our endeavours.
Lafarge Pakistan is a subsidiary of Lafarge Group; listed on the Paris stock exchange and a world leader of building materials. It is the first and only multinational cement manufacturer in Pakistan.The state-of-the-art plant is located at Kallar Kahar, District Chakwal, in the province of Punjab. The plant commenced its commercial operations in December 2006 with an annual cement production capacity of 2.6m tons, thus pioneering to be the largest cement production line in country.
Our ambition is to offer innovative solutions to address market needs, for example affordable housing and road infrastructure in the framework of the Government of Pakistan' s Infrastructure Development initiatives. Our innovative product portfolio, which includes Ordinary Portland Cement (PAKCEM), High quality Cement (Stallion) and innovative tile bond (Xtreme Bond)contribute to Building Better Cities across Pakistan and creates a step change in construction standards, aesthetics and services in the local industry.
Since its inception, the Company has been proactively contributing to the improvement and safety of life in the local communities. The recent ground breaking ceremony of a medical unit and parking complex, along with the launch of the Khandowa slip road in Kalar Kahar are a testimony to our commitment to building better lives. The medical unit aims to provide best healthcare treatment in the area, while the slip road will ensure safety of the travellers and minimise road hazards within the district.
Our commitment extends to sharing best practices at work, at home and across communities. Our Health & Safety in schools program is a commendable employee volunteering initiative for the benefit of school children to create Health and Safety awareness amongst them. I proudly share that our Corporate Social Responsibility and volunteering initiatives address areas including Health & Safety, Environment, Local Job Creation, Community Development and Education.
Additionally, we are also at the forefront of Industrial Ecology in using waste derived material as fuel for our cement kilns, while adopting innovative techniques to eliminate industrial waste. I am proud to represent Lafarge in Pakistan and for our continued contributions to the strengthening ties between France and Pakistan.I take the opportunity on this glorious day to reemphasis our commitment to strengthening the Cement Industry of Pakistan, ensuring a safe and stimulating work environment for employees, providing superior returns for shareholders, building better lives for local community and contributing to the economic growth of the country.