KARACHI: Pakistan’s cement exports to India have declined by 11 per cent to 163,500 tonnes during the period from July to November this fiscal year as against 183,400 tonnes in the same period last year. Sources said that the main reasons behind this decline are non-tariff barriers and without removing these hurdles, cement export to India cannot improve.
They added that the domestic cement manufacturers are producing the commodity as per international quality standards and successfully captured several international markets. However, export to India is gradually declining as manufacturers are facing several issues, including renewal of BIS certificates.
Analysts said 5 percent of Pakistan’s total exports are being dispatched to India. Presently, local cement manufacturers are exporting cement to India through trucks and trains. However, cement exports to India through Wahga border is expected to be beneficial for the Pakistan’s cement industry particularly for the cement plants located in the northern region. They said that better relationship between the two countries can boost cement dispatches to India.