Pakistan’s cement exports have registered a phenomenal growth during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, which stood at 5.94 million tonnes for July-April.

"Last year, 2006-07, Pakistan cement export posted 3.2 million tonnes but figures for the first 10 months of the current fiscal year are encouraging", source in the industries ministry told reporters. "We are expecting the export figures to further swell by close of the year with two more months in hands", he said.

Pakistan exports cement to Afghanistan, India, Middle East and African countries with maximum about 50 percent to Afghanistan. So far, 10 months cement production was about 23.5 million tonnes with 18.5 million tonnes local consumption and 5.94 million tonnes export. Pakistan total cement export was 2.3 million tonnes last year with 20.3 million tonnes consumption for the year.

The total production of 29 cement units is likely to remain below 30 million tonnes for the whole year of total 37 million tonnes capacity. So far, sources said the statistics showed 82.8 percent capacity utilisation of these units which is quite better when compared to last year’s total 75.2 percent capacity utilisation for the whole year.

This year, they said, so far with two months still in hands, over 24 million tonnes production is already achieved of total 37 million tonnes capacity with 18.62 million tonnes consumption at home while 5.94 million tonnes were exported. This year, annual capacity of 29 units was 37 million tonnes, up two million tonnes because of ongoing capacity expansion work.