LAHORE, Oct 2: The cement demand during the first quarter of the current financial year has grown by 20.99 per cent to 5.414 million tons from 4.474 million tons during the same period last year.

In a statement issued on Monday, the newly elected All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) chairman Aizaz Mansoor Sheikh said the cement exports had registered a growth of 53.72 per cent and the domestic demand grew by 17.51 per cent.

During the period under review, the capacity utilisation was 74.49 per cent from an expanded capacity-base made available with the start of new production lines and optimisation of production capability undertaken by several plants.

The APCMA has appreciated the recent decision of the government regarding restoration of duty drawback on exports and waiver of subsidy on import of cement.