May 31, 2001

CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE: CX), announced today that it expects to reduce net debt by over US$400 million during the quarter ending June 30, 2001, which will allow it to achieve its targeted Net Debt/EBITDA ratio of 2.7 times ahead of schedule.

The expected reduction in net debt will happen as a result of the increase in cash and marketable securities realized from the previously announced BANACCI transaction, as well as higher than expected free cash flow generation (operating and non operating) during the second quarter. The stronger than expected free cash flow is also as a result of the anticipated close to full participation by CEMEX shareholders in the stock dividend option.

Rodrigo Treviño, Chief Financial Officer, said: "We are pleased that we will reach our desired capital structure targets sooner than expected. A combination of better than expected performance in our US market, a strong Mexican Peso, and the achievement of cost saving efforts worldwide, give us confidence that our consolidated performance will be in line with our targets of approximately US$610 million and US$2.5 billion in consolidated EBITDA for the second quarter and full year respectively. This would be accomplished in spite of weaker volumes in Mexico in the second quarter compared to last year. The lower Mexican Peso interest rate environment and the positive outlook for foreign direct investment into Mexico should lead to better market conditions during the second half of 2001 and beyond."

CEMEX is one of the three largest cement companies in the world, with approximately 78 million metric tons of production capacity. It is also the world's largest trader of cement and it is the leading producer of white cement. CEMEX is engaged in the production, distribution, marketing, and sale of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and clinker through operating subsidiaries on four continents. For more information, visit www.cemex.com.