A France-based multinational company, Lafarge, and Druk Satair Corporation Ltd, are inching towards a partnership to manufacture value-added and environment-friendly gypsum products.

A global leader with an annual turnover exceeding USD 20 billion, Lafarge’s representatives in India met with Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley yesterday in New Delhi to discuss, among others, the long term FDI/joint venture policies of the government.

The representatives were looking for a 30-year lease to produce 30 million metric tonnes of raw materials, clearance to supply under grade gypsum to their cement plants in India, and availability of land and power.  

Lafarge would explore Yudiri gypsum deposit, below Nangkor school in Pemagtashel, and along Yidiri river given the limited mineable quantity at the present mines at Khothakpa.

If the partnership materialised, Lafarge will improve production technology, enable value additions to products, bring about energy efficiency and establish a gypsum board plant with an eye on the Indian market.

The representatives, Mr. Olivier Chaudet and Mr. Jeremey Rombout, informed the prime minister that Lafarge was known for deploying green technology. The Worldwide Environment Fund (WWF) was engaged to audit their operations.

Besides value additions to products, Bhutan would benefit through green practices, ethics and technology in the construction sector.  About 50% of the research and development (R&D) budget of Lafarge was dedicated to sustainable construction.

The prime  minister informed them that Bhutan was finalizing the Economic Development Policy which would spell out the kind of environment in which they can operate. FDI, an important component of this policy, would be as attractive as possible especially for sectors that emphasized sustainable and ecologically-friendly practices.

“We need partners like you,” the prime minister said. “Those which operate under strictest ecological conditions.”

He also briefed them about the construction of the Asian highway and the railway links from India to Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar and Nganglam which would benefit them.

Officials from Lafarge have visited the Gypsum mining site in Pemagatshel and met Bhutanese officials in the ministry of  economic affairs, Bhutan chamber of commerce and industry and national environment commission.