India to export cement to Pakistan
Pakistani companies are finding it difficult to cope with the rising demand of cement. Accordingly, The Indian Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), an apex body representing most of the domestic manufacturers, has agreed to export cement to Pakistan through the Pakistan Cement Association (PCA), and not directly. The CMA and the PCA met in Pakistan recently to discuss the threat of Indian cement companies finding increased presence in the Pakistani markets.
R G Bagla, the group president of JK Cement, who attended the meeting said, “Pakistani companies are finding it difficult to cope with the rising demand and also the threat from the Indian firms finding new grounds there. The PCA had invited us to discuss and find a solution to the problem.”
“It was decided that henceforth cement from Indian companies will enter Pakistan only after receiving a nod from the PCA. Now, we will not provide cement directly to the suppliers,” Bagla added.
The CMA comprises most of the major domestic cement players including Ambuja, Sanghi, UltraTech, Birla and JK Cement. In a CMA committee meeting, it was decided that the prices of cement would be hiked by Rs 3 shortly and then by Rs 10 this week, some senior cement industry officials. The increase in diesel and petrol prices was taken into account before deciding the hike, sources said. While the cement price in Delhi is about Rs 190 a bag as per the company billing price, it is about Rs 205 a bag in the retail market. As per the CMA decision, the prices were already hiked by Rs 3 on Friday, sources said.
Published under Cement News
