The chairman of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has suggested that the one per cent custom duty on the import of cement be increased to 25 per cent to curb imports, citing   in particular imports from Iran.

Considering the recent imposition of anti-dumping duty on Pakistani cement by South Africa, the chairman has called on the Pakistan government to also increase duties to stop the influx of Iranian cement which it claims is damaging the domestic industry and investor confidence.

The direct revenue to national exchequer in the form of excise duty and sales tax can be increased by approximately PKR 1bn provided the government stops the import of 500,000t of cement from Iran,” according to the head of the cement industry body.

According to a report by Pakistan Today, 34,000t of Iranian cement was imported last month and about 20,000t of different Iranian cement brands have been imported as at 15 May 2015.