Pakistan cement makers seek more incentives
All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has asked the government to provide further incentives and export facilities including infrastructure facilities at ports so that they might be in a position to compete in the export market in Africa, Sri Lanka and Gulf countries.
The capacity of cement plants have increased to 33 million tonnes, at the end of 2006 as compared to 21Mt in January 2006, while the present domestic demand is around 22Mt, said representatives of APCMA at a meeting with Secretary Industries Shahab Khwaja on Wednesday.
Tariq Bajwa, Joint Secretary, and senior officers of the Ministry of Industries, Production & Special Initiatives, Ministry of Commerce, Central Board of Revenue and M/o Ports & Shipping attended the meeting.
Mr Shahab Khawaja assured the cement manufacturers that the government would consider their request sympathetically and will provide all possible facilities for export of cement. However, he stated that prices of cement should not be increased as the Government has to protect the interests of the common man, said an official statement.
The position regarding cement prices in domestic market, demand & supply and export of cement was discussed and reviewed in detail. Mr Shahab Khawaja expressed his satisfaction over stabilisation of cement prices in the domestic market. Published under Cement News
