Mexico's Cemex -viewed as one of the world's largest cement companies- Friday said the Mexican government is prepared to advocate the firm's "legitimate interests" in Venezuela, following Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's announcement he would nationalize the sector.

Late Thursday, Chávez vowed to nationalize the cement industry "as a whole," claiming the sector exports most of the production, thus harming the government's construction plans, Efe reported.

Consequently, the Mexican government said it was convening Venezuelan Ambassador in Mexico, Roy Chaderton "to learn about the scope and nature of President Hugo Chávez's statements."

However, Cemex in a communiqué said that so far the Venezuelan government has not given official notice of a likely nationalization of the cement industry.

Cemex has already asked for clarifications from the Venezuelan government to understand the extent of the decision.

"The government of Mexico has told us it is doing anything in its power to advocate the legitimate interests of the company as a Mexican firm abroad," Cemex said.

"Cemex Venezuela continues normal operations while the situation is clarified," the communiqué stressed.

Cemex is the largest manufacturer of cement and concrete in Venezuela, with 52 percent of the domestic production. The firm has over 3,000 workers in three plants in Venezuela.