FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
| For the month of: |
December, 2006 |
|||
| Commission File Number : |
001-15218 |
LAFARGE
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
61, rue des Belles Feuilles
75116 Paris
France
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F....X.... Form 40-F.........
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes .... No ..X..
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
Enclosures:
Press Release, dated December 20, 2006, relating to, Lafarge and EBRD partnership renewal
Page 1 of 4 Total Pages
PRESS RELEASE
| Euronext: LG, NYSE: LR |
Paris, 20 December 2006 |
LAFARGE AND EBRD RENEW PARTNERSHIP
TO SUPPORT LAFARGE’S DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
Lafarge announces the renewal of its partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The new partnership extends the multi-project framework agreement signed between Lafarge and EBRD in 1996, which resulted in joint investments by the EBRD and Lafarge in development projects in Poland, Romania and Slovenia.
EBRD has committed up to 70 million euros for the development of Lafarge’s activities in Russia, initially to modernise and develop two cement plants located in the Moscow and Tcheliabinsk (Urals) regions, with a total production capacity of 4 million tonnes. This is the first time the EBRD has invested in Russia alongside an international manufacturer in the cement sector.
With the renewal of this framework agreement, the geographic scope has been extended to include the countries of Central Asia, and the EBRD’s maximum budget for investment in Lafarge projects in the region has been increased to a total of 300 million euros through year-end 2009.
Further information:
Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all four of its businesses: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. With 80,000 employees in 76 countries, Lafarge posted sales of Euros 16 billion in 2005.
Lafarge has been committed to sustainable development for many years, pursuing a strategy that combines industrial know-how with performance, value creation, respect for employees and local cultures, environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources and energy. Lafarge is the only company in the construction materials sector to be listed in the 2006 ‘100 Global Most Sustainable Corporations in the World’. To make advances in building materials, Lafarge places the customer at the heart of its concerns. It offers the construction industry and the general public innovative solutions bringing greater safety, comfort and quality to their everyday surroundings.
Additional information is available on the web site at www.lafarge.com
Page 2 of 4 Total Pages
Contacts
| COMMUNICATIONS: |
INVESTOR RELATIONS: |
|||||
| Stéphanie Tessier: stephanie.tessier@lafarge.com |
33-1 44-34-92-32 |
Yvon Brind’Amour: yvon.brindamour@lafarge.com |
33-1 44-34-11-26 | |||
| Lucy Wadge: lucy.wadge@lafarge.com |
33-1 44-34-19-47 |
Danièle Daouphars: daniele.daouphars@lafarge.com |
33-1 44-34-11-51 | |||
| Stéphanie Billet: stephanie.billet@lafarge.com |
33-1 44-34-94-59 | |||||
Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“Factors”), which are difficult to predict. Some of the Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the cyclical nature of the Company’s business; national and regional economic conditions in the countries in which the Group does business; currency fluctuations; seasonal nature of the Company’s operations; levels of construction spending in major markets; supply/demand structure of the industry; competition from new or existing competitors; unfavorable weather conditions during peak construction periods; changes in and implementation of environmental and other governmental regulations; our ability to successfully identify, complete and efficiently integrate acquisitions; our ability to successfully penetrate new markets; and other Factors disclosed in the Company’s public filings with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers and the US Securities and Exchange Commission including its Reference Document and annual report on Form 20-F. In general, the Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties of the construction industry and of doing business throughout the world. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Page 3 of 4 Total Pages
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Date December 20, 2006 |
Lafarge | |||
| (Registrant) | ||||
| By: /s/ Jean-Jacques Gauthier | ||||
| Name: |
Jean-Jacques Gauthier | |||
| Title: |
Chief Financial Officer and | |||
| Executive Vice President | ||||
Page 4 of 4 Total Pages