Cement producers in Pakistan will invest between $700m and $1bn in expanding capacity over the next few years, according to Mohammad Ali Tabba, chair of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.
Tabba said that four companies have already announced expansion plans: Cherat Cement; Attock Cement; DG Khan Cement; and Lucky Cement. Capacity in 2015-16 stands at 45.6 million tonnes (mn t) per annum.
Despite this investment, Tabba noted that the industry was not receiving the same degree of support from the government as were other sectors. The industry is on course to pay over $859m in taxes this year.
While the tax burden on manufacturers has risen, cement prices have fallen over the past few years, Tabba said. He also said that between 0.5 mn t and 0.7 mn t was being smuggled into the country from Iran. Cement producers in Pakistan will invest between $700m and $1bn in expanding capacity over the next few years, according to Mohammad Ali Tabba, chair of the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.