LAHORE: India is a largest importer of Pakistani cement and Pakistan is earning huge revenue through export of cement and clinker to India through sea and land routes.
During the last fiscal year of 2014-15, Pakistan exported, 696337 metric ton of cement to India and Wagah is the main trade route for Pakistan to export cement to India as it is the cheapest route between the two neighboring countries. During 2013-14, exports to India was standing at 677305 metric tons mean it was on boost from 2013 to 2015.
Sources told Customs Today that exports of cement and other relevant items to India is decreasing after the announcement of the federal budget for the fiscal year of 2015-16. The Federal government has imposed a tax termed as “super tax” on cement sector in Pakistan which has plunged the exports of Pakistan. Ratio of the super tax is 4 percent which is increasing the rates of cement in local market and also affected exports as well.
Only Pakistani cement export has fallen to 32 percent in first month after the implementation of this tax. During July 2015 exports to India was standing at 43000 metric tons which is 32 percent low than the same period of the last fiscal year.
Due to fall in cement exports to India business activities have also halted because crossing of trucks and freight trains are decreased.
