KARACHI: Cement despatches increased by 6.5 per cent to 21.3 million tonnes during the first seven months (July-January) of 2015-16 from 20m tonnes in the same period last year, due to a robust growth in domestic uptake.

Local despatches rose 15.48pc to 17.9m tonnes from 15.5m tonnes in July-January 2014-15. However, exports declined by 24.44pc to 3.4m tonnes from 4.5m tonnes, according to the data of All-Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.

Factories in northern region despatched 14.776m tonnes in the local markets as compared to 12.948m tonnes in the same period last year, a 14.12pc rise. While, exports from the north-based mills plunged by 22.36pc to 2.16m from 2.782m tonnes in July-January 2014-15.

South-based factories registered even more growth of 23.32pc to 3.12m tonnes from 2.53m tonnes; while, exports suffered 29.21pc reduction to 1.243m tonnes from 1.756m tonnes.

The association’s spokesman said that the government has not yet taken any serious action to address the falling exports. He urged the government to impose 20pc regulatory duty on import of cements in addition to custom duty.

The spokesman further sought removal of GIDC, reduction of customs duty on coal to zero per cent and additional incentive of 5pc on export of cement by sea to reduce the overall cost of operations.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2016