ISLAMABAD, Aug 23: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has asked the government not to withdraw the restriction on export of cement. In a statement on Wednesday, ICCI President Abdul Rauf said the prohibition on cement export had helped to a great extent in reducing the cement prices in the market.

Mr Rauf said due to ignorance of the Monopoly Control Authority (MCA) cement prices were increased manifold.

He said the government had also allowed duty free import of cement from India but due to bilateral disputes the decision was not implemented.

In order to lower the cement rates in the country, cement factories have increased their production potential which has greatly boosted the construction industry.

But if cement factories succeeded to establish their monopoly to increase prices, this could be a big loss to the construction industry, he said.