The country's cement sector has received a green signal from the South African authorities to export cement with Pakistani tag, industry sources told Business Recorder on Monday. Presently, South Africa is facing great shortage of cement ahead of upcoming football world cup, to be held in 2010, sources added.
"Brisk construction activities for the mega football event has primarily given rise to cement demand there," they said. The issuance of export license has opened new vistas for Pakistani cement sector that is already exporting huge quantity of the commodity to its neighbouring countries.
Sources said that Lucky Cement is the only Pakistani company, which has received export certificate from the South African Bureau of Standards. "Yes, our company has received the export certificate/license from the authorities of South African Bureau of Standard and after this certificate we are able to export cement," confirmed an official of Lucky Cement.
He said that in mid of January this year, a delegation (comprising two inspectors) of South African Bureau of Standard visited cement plant to examine the quality of the product.
The delegation also obtained some samples of cement, which were later tested at the laboratories of SA Bureau of Standards. In the light of these tests, the bureau has informed us that all tests were positive, he added. "After getting this certificate we will be able to export Pakistani cement with the tag of Lucky Cement," the official added.
Sources said that South Africa has some 10-12 million tonnes cement demand per year, however due to football tournament they have some 5 million tonnes additional demand. Therefore, as per requirement, Pakistan can export some 9 million tonnes cement to SA during the next two years, sources added.
They said that demand of Pakistani cement is increasing globally with the result it has already captured cement markets of India, Iraq, UAE and other countries. The country's cement exports have witnessed a healthy growth of 140 percent to all time high level of 4.2611 million tons during the first eight months of current fiscal year 2008 in the wake of rising international demand, they informed.
Regional cement shortages played a key role in achieving landmark cement exports, while enhanced production of the local cement factories is another prominent reason behind this huge increase, sources added.