The government will not accept the increase in cement prices for 2012 announced by the construction sector.
Sector representatives from the country's chamber of industry and construction (Chico in Spanish) claim that the $0.48 price rise is due to the devaluation of Honduras' currency as well as increasing energy and fuel costs.
"Regarding the causes claimed by Chico, the government's Secretary for Trade and Industry (SIC in Spanish), Francisco Zelaya, commented that he thought they were made up," reports an article in Latribuna.hn.
After several negotiations with the cement industry, the Government authorized an increase of $0.37 (7 lempiras) in the bag of cement.
According to the negotiations between authorities and the company Lafarge-Incehsa, this increase will occur in two phases: $0.16 (3 lempiras) on January 20 and $0.21 (4 lempiras) on January 28.
"With this increase, the price of a 42.5 kilogram bag will increase from $66 to $70", reported Laprensa.hn.