May 4, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1427

KARACHI, May 3: Industries and Production Minister Jehangir Khan Tareen said on Wednesday the government had “decided to keep the ban on all export shipments for the time being.”

Mr Tareen told Reuters that cement exports would only resume when domestic prices fall below Rs300 per 50-kg bag. “Now, prices are hovering around Rs340-350,” he said.

March sales reached a record 1.82 million tons, of which 180,000 tons were exported, mostly to neighbouring Afghanistan.

During the export ban in April, the local market received an additional supply of around 150,000 tons, Mr Tareen said.

“If the prices come down to our desired level, we would allow exports of a limited quantity only to Afghanistan as we don’t want to lose that market.”