February 08, 2007	Thursday	Muharram 19, 1428

ISLAMABAD Feb 7: Minister for Industries and Production Jahangir Khan Tareen has convened a meeting on Saturday to work out measures for arresting the steady increase in cement price.

The cement price rose to Rs275 per bag as against Rs200 just in a week at retail level and the commodity was expected to continue upward drive as cement producers had again created artificial shortage.

An official in the ministry of industry said that the minister had invited all the stakeholders to review the cement price situation.

The official quoted the minister to have said that in case the price was not brought down to the desired level the government would re-consider other options including withdrawal of refunds on export of cement.

The construction activities particularly in the quake-hit areas will be gaining momentum by end of this month, the cement makers are creating artificial shortage following pick up in demand to maximise their profits, the official added.

Last year the government had withdrawn the refunds on export and allowed freight subsidy on import of cement from neighbouring countries to maintain stability in domestic price.