KARACHI, Sept 4: The cement industry managed to export a total of 0.24 million tons, which represented the highest-ever export of cement in a single month.

Figures released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers’ Association on Monday showed growth of 26.2 per cent in exports during August over the July exports of 0.19 million tons.

A.R. Thaplawala, executive director of Lucky Cement Company, claimed that his company had a share of 41 per cent in the exports, which stood at 97,210 tons. “We are exporting mainly to the Middle East and Afghanistan,” Mr Thaplawala said.

Overall cement sales (local plus exports) increased by 26 per cent to 1.80 million tons for August, from 1.43 million tons in July. Local sales rose by 6.5 per cent to 1.51 million tons in August from 1.44 million tons in the earlier month.

Sales growth was despite the slowdown in construction activity due to heavy monsoon rains. In comparison to the same month last year (Aug 2005), sales represented an increase of 19.3 per cent in Aug 2006.

Sector analysts calculated that the sales of concrete during the first two months of the current fiscal year (July-Aug) had posted a growth of 18.8 per cent to 3.49 million tons as compared to 2.94 million tons in the comparable two months of last year.

Sales in the local markets stood at 3.06 million tons for July-Aug 2006, representing an increase of 15 per cent, whereas exports at 0.42 million tons depicted a growth of 48.1 per cent for two months vis-à-vis same time last year.