After partially lifting the ban on export of cement last month and allowing it to be exported from Gujarat ports, the government now wants to put in place safeguards to ensure that only companies based in the state can export cement.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has been asked to draft a notification banning cement produced outside Gujarat to be exported.

According to sources, as Gujarat accounts for about 90 per cent of the country’s cement exports, the move to disallow other states from exporting from Gujarat ports would not make a major impact. “It is mostly cement manufactured in Gujarat which is being exported from the Gujarat ports. Cement exporters based in other states don’t find it viable to come all the way to Gujarat to export,” an official said. The additional restriction is expected to do little in checking cement exports.