Cement consumption will grow seven per cent

Cement consumption in India is likely to grow at around 7 per cent in 2004-2005, according to MS Gilotra, Managing Director of Saurashtra Cement Ltd (SCL) and Gujarat Sidhee Cement Ltd (SCGS). In 2003-2004, cement consumption wasaround 115Mt in India. While cement production was 123Mt, the country exported around 3.5Mt of cement and 5.5Mt of cement clinker. Cement exports are likely to increase by at least 20 per cent in 2004- 2005. SCGS exports nearly 50 percent of its production of cement and clinker.