Houthi Confession of Forging “Amran Cement” Brand: Pakistani Shipment Sold in Markets as Local Product

Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:

In a rare precedent, the Houthi group admitted to forging the trademark of one of the most important national factories, after revealing that it had packaged an imported cement shipment with the logo of the “Amran Cement Factory,” a move that sparked widespread controversy over commercial transparency and credibility in areas under its control.

The General Cement Industry Corporation, which is affiliated with the group, said in an official statement that it imported a quantity of foreign cement “and packaged it with the Amran Cement Factory’s packaging to maintain the brand,” claiming this was done “to protect the consumer and ensure market stability” following the halt of local production due to the shelling of the Amran and Bajil factories.

The Corporation justified this step by stating that “the imported cement is compliant with international specifications and underwent technical inspection in the country of origin and at the Al-Salif port,” without providing technical evidence or laboratory results proving the shipment’s quality or suitability for use.

However, local sources revealed that the shipment, which arrived at Hodeidah port from Pakistan, contained nearly one million bags of bulk cement, described as being of poor quality. This cement was then repackaged in bags bearing the “Amran Cement” logo before being distributed in local markets as national production.

This confession opens the door to serious questions about commercial fraud and the manipulation of national factory brands, especially given the vital importance of cement products in the Yemeni construction market, amidst declining local production and increasing reliance on imports.

The Amran and Bajil cement factories were subjected to shelling last May, which the group attributed to “Israeli aircraft,” leading to their complete halt in production and exacerbating the construction material crisis in areas under its control.

Observers believe that the Houthi Corporation’s confession to this forgery represents a rare precedent in the history of Yemeni national industries and reveals the extent of the challenges and imbalances plaguing the industry and commercial oversight sector in the group’s areas.