Pakistan records 28% growth in export of cement/clinker 8MFY20

All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers' Association (APCMA) has reported that country saw a growth of 28 per cent in cement and clinker exports during first eight months of the ongoing financial year 2019-20. It reached 5.939Mt in 8MFY19-20 and can be attributed to an increase in cement exports to Afghanistan and unprecedented surge in clinker exports to the global market.
 
However, Pakistan's Federal Bureau of Statistics is yet to release official data for the export of cement and clinker from Pakistan for the period of February/July – February 2019-29.
 
According to APCMA, cement exports to Afghanistan rose by 54.8 per cent to 1.737Mt 8MFY20, but exports to India remain suspended since last year. Cement exports from Pakistan to other international markets fell by three per cent to 1.297Mt. However, clinker exports continued to bode well, recording growth of 100 per cent with dispatches of over 2.904Mt clinker.
 
Outlook
Moving forward, the corona virus pandemic has engulfed global trade and industry. Pakistan has closed its borders with Afghanistan and Iran in a bid to stop spread of virus and this has also suspended export of cement from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
 
In addition, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is scheduled to announce its monetary policy today. The industry, including cement, is desperately expecting reduction in interest rate from 13.25 per annum following the impact of the corona virus, slowdown in the world economy, little fall in inflation, etc. If is reduced, it would greatly benefit the industry on financing front in Pakistan.