Pakistan cement industry trebles FDI

The Pakistan cement sector has received foreign direct investment (FDI) to the tune of US$21.5m from July 2013-March 2014, more than trebling the US$6.3m received during the comparative period the previous year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. In March alone, FDI into the cement industry reached US$2.2m.

While investment fell from US$102.5m in FY08 to US$32.6m one year later, in FY11 it recovered, rising to US$65.2m. However, in FY12, the industry did not receive any FDI.

The Pakistan cement industry has recorded an average growth of 5.7 per cent in output between FY08-12 to 28.95Mt, according to the Pakistan Cement Manufacturers' Association. However, with cement capacity climbing to 33.642Mt in March 2014, capacity utilisation rates have remained at around 74 per cent.