Cement exports decline by 20.59 percent in October

Cement despatches for the month of October 2012 declined by 5.87 percent mainly due to a drastic decline of 20.59 percent in export of cement while local despatches show a marginal growth of 0.19 percent.
Revealing the data for the month of October 2012, a spokesman of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) said here on Monday that cement industry despatched 2.767 million tons of cement in October 2012 that was 5.87 percent less than the despatches achieved in the corresponding month of 2011 ie 2.939 million tons. He said in October 2012 the local cement dispatches were 2.086 million tons increased by 0.19 percent as compared to cement despatched in October 2011 ie 2.082 million tons.
He said in the first four months of this fiscal the total cement despatches stood at 10.474 million tons, which was slightly higher than the total despatches of 10.436 million tons achieved during corresponding period of last year. He said overall gain in despatches was only 0.37 percent. The capacity utilisation of the industry during July-October 2012 period stood at 70.19 percent. He said cement exports continued their downward trend in October 2012 as well declining by massive 20.59 percent from the exports achieved in October 2011.
Pakistan exports cement to Afghanistan, India and to other destinations through sea. During the period from July-October 2012, exports to Afghanistan declined by 9.46 percent to 1.634 million tons. The exports to India he added declined by 37.51 percent to 0.158 million tons and exports to other destinations through sea were increased by 2.34 percent to 1.161 million tons.
Aizaz Mansoor Sheikh, Chairman, APCMA said hype created on trade with India has so far not been materialised and export in that market is well below the expectation of the cement sector. He said after opening of land route it was expected that industry shall be able to export more than 5 million tons cement to India. He appealed the government to engage Indian government on regular basis for the removal of non trade barriers which are hurting cement exports.
He urged the government to boost the construction sector through prudent government policies and facilitation; resultantly increase in cement despatches triggers a chain growth in 42 allied industries. He said the economic revival would not be possible without encouraging the construction activities.