Pakistan's cement industry saw a growth of 9.82 per cent in total dispatches to 38.87Mt during fiscal year 2015-16 (July-June) from 35.34Mt in July 2014 to June 2015. The breakdown shows local and export dispatches stood at 33Mt and 5.87Mt, respectively during this period.

The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) remarked this growth positive for industry except the levy of additional tax in budget 2016-17 that increased the cement price by INR35 (US$0.52) per bag. To move forward in 2016-17, the representative body of cement industry demands rationalisation in additional excise duty, eliminating smuggling and support to local manufacturers in winning back their export markets by giving freight/ transportation subsidy enabling them to compete on global level.

According to APCMA statement, total dispatches during June 2016 alone, were 3.35Mt compared to 3.26Mt during same month last year showing a marginal increase of 2.57 per cent, mainly affected due to substantial downfall in exports.

Exports from the country declined by 18.38 per cent to 5.87Mt compared with exports during last fiscal year that were 7.2Mt. Exports to India have increased by 42.53 per cent to 992,631t during fiscal year 2015-16 against 696,417t during last fiscal.

However, the decline in exports to Afghanistan by 15.1 per cent and via sea to other countries by 32.68 per cent affected the overall exports of the country. Unstable situation in Afghanistan and influx of Iranian Cement limited exports to 2.44Mt during fiscal year 2015-16 compared to 2.87Mt during last fiscal. Likewise, increased competition on global level coupled with economic slowdown in countries where Pakistan has been exporting reduced the country’s exports by sea to 2.44Mt during fiscal year 2015-16 compared to 3.62Mt during last fiscal.