Pakistan’s cement dispatches went up by 10.63 per cent year-on-year to 3.964 million tonnes (MT) in March as the factories utilised their full production capacity to meet robust demand in the local market, according to industry data released in the country.
All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) figures showed that the industry dispatched 3.583 MT of cement in March 2016. In March, cement sales increased 23 per cent over the same month a year ago. Exports fell sharply by 60.39 per cent. This massive decline in exports contained the overall monthly dispatch growth.
APCMA’s spokesman said that infrastructure development under the proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects has started to bear fruits. "The ever-increasing domestic market has vindicated the manufacturers’ thrust on adding new capacities," he said. "Pakistan needs sustained infrastructure activities for at least a decade to close the infrastructure gap with the competing economies."