TEHRAN: The government policy on exports needs revamping to boost exports, as smuggling of cement through porous Pak-Iran border possess a continuous threat for the cement industry. Spokesman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association said that exports declined mainly because of non-tariff barriers erected by the Indian authorities and influx of Iranian cement in Afghanistan. According to experts, cement export sector continued to disappoint, as exports from North zone were 274,000 Tons while exports from South zone were 192,000 Tons.
In July 2014 the cement exports from North were 295,000 tons and from South were 208,000 tons. He added that All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers’ Association has expressed reservations on various tax measures announced in federal budget 2015-16 that would hurt investors’ sentiments in general and will particularly burden cement consumers in the country. These issues in particular are related to 3% Super tax, amendments introduced in Section 8 of the sales Tax Act, 1990 for input tax adjustment and increase in import duty on coal from 1% to 5%.
He emphasized that the Industry is facing tremendous problems due to high power tariffs, axle load restrictions; power outages etc and expects effective steps from government for reducing the cost of operations in order to make the product competitive and to increase its existence in global markets.
