KARACHI: Cement despatches soared to record 30.304 million tonnes during the first nine months of thecurrenthscalyear.

The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) on Thursday reported a seven per cent increase in overall sales during July-March period of 2016-17 over the corresponding period of last year with domestic consumption rising 11pc, but exports declined by 15pc.

The cement sales touched almost four million tonnes in March with 100pc capacity utilisation on strong local demand compared to 3.583m tonnes in the same month last year. However, exports plunged by 60pc compared to the same month last year.

A spokesman of the APCMA said that cement consumption during JulyMarch period of this fiscal increased by 10.26pc in the north region and by 14pc in the south region of the country. In contrast, the exports fell by 10pc and 14pc, respectively.