ISLAMABAD, March 13: The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) on Saturday informed the government that cement manufacturers had neither made any increase in cement prices nor had any plan to increase in future.

This was stated by the APCMA chairman, Tariq Saeed Saigol, in a meeting with Minister for Industries and Production, Liaquat Ali Jatoi, to review cement prices and cement industry situation.

He said the recent increase in prices was made by the market forces because of sudden increase in the demand for cement with the beginning of summer season and commissioning of various large construction projects. He assured that necessary steps to increase cement production had been taken and required quantity of cement would be made available in the market.

It was informed that currently the manufacturers were producing more than 17 million tons cement, which would increase to 19 million tons by next year.

The meeting reviewed the industry situation and prices of cement in the market and noted there had been some increase in the cement prices during the recent past, The national average price of cement has increased from Rs222 per bag in November last to Rs230 per bag on March 10.

The Minister said that prime minister and the Cabinet had taken notice of the increase in the cement prices and desired all out efforts to check the trend.

The minister emphasized that government was keen to protect the interest of consumers as well as cement manufacturers. All out efforts will be made to facilitate the increase in production of cement so that the required quantity of cement was available to the consumers at a reasonable price.

The meeting was attended by Muhammad Javed Ashraf Hussain, secretary, Industries and Production, Tariq Saeed Saigol, chairman, All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) vice-chairman, All Pakistan Contractors Association, members of Cement Manufacturers Association and senior officers of the concerned ministries/organizations.-APP