LAHORE - Cement sales grew 8.87 percent to 8.197 million tons during the first four months of the current fiscal year, the data by All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) showed.
In July-October, exports of cement decreased 4.43 percent to 2.79 million tons over the same period last fiscal year.
A spokesman at APCMA said the government has not yet addressed the issues impeding the actual growth potential of the cement sector. “The overall growth in the sector is commendable in view of the economic turmoil,” he said.
The north zone’s cement factories despatched 6.872 million tons to the domestic markets during July-October fiscal year 2014-15. The sales were 10.4 percent higher than the despatches during the same period of last fiscal. Exports from north mills, however, dropped by 12.3 percent to 1.742 million tons over the comparable period. Cement factories of the southern region managed to sell 1.307 million tons, up 1.4 percent.

 Exports from the region, however, rose 12.5 percent to 1.048 million tons in July-October. Cement dispatches to local markets in October were 2.094 million tons compared with 1.973 million tons in the same month a year ago. In October, exports were recorded at 729,000 tons as against 676,000 tons, depicting an increase of 7.87 percent. Total despatches were 2.823 million tons as compared to 2.649 million tons, up 6.57 percent.