The government has decided to restore cement exports to Afghanistan from May 1, along with rebate, despite an estimated shortage of 200,000 tons per month to meet domestic demand.
Sources in the Ministry of Industries and Production told Business Recorder on Wednesday that a proposal has been sent to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, suggesting that the April 6 to 30 moratorium on cement exports to Afghanistan be lifted from May 1 to ensure Pakistan''''''''s market share.
"We have also recommended that rebate on export, which has been stopped by the ECC, should also be restored to make it feasible for cement industry to compete in the market," sources said.
The ministry is of the view that rebate, which is around Rs 80 per bag, should be restored along with the resumption of exports to Afghanistan. Besides, it is also proposed that the quantity to be exported to Afghanistan should be reduced from 200,000 tons to 100,000 tons per month, and the cement manufacturers association be given the task to distribute approved export quantity among the member factories.
SRO ISSUED: Commerce Ministry on Wednesday issued the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) after incorporating amendments in Appendix G of the Import Policy Order, 2005, saying that import of cement and clinker is allowed from India by rail, road or sea.
When Erra Chairman Altaf Saleem was contacted to find out whether Erra had any plan to import cement from India, he said that at present there was no such plan.
The SRO says: In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950 (XXXIX of 1950), the Federal Government is pleased to direct that the following further amendment shall be made in the Import Policy Order, 2005, namely:
In the aforesaid Order, in appendix G, after serial number 772 in column (1) and the entries relating thereto in columns (2) and (3), the following new serial number and the entries relating thereto shall be added, namely, 773, 2523.0000( cement and clinker( by rail, road or sea.