KARACHI: Despite a drop in exports, the country’s total cement despatchesincreased by 6 per cent to 4.476 million tonnes in July from 4.222m tonnes in the corresponding month last year.According to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, local cement sales rose 17.28pc to 3.771m tonnes in July from 3.215m tonnes a year ago. Exports declined by 30pc to 705,341 tonnes from 1.007m tonnes.
A spokesman for APCMA saidthat local uptake could increase further, provided the government re duces duties and t axes on cement, benefiting end consumers.
However, heavy rains are affecting most parts of the country, and the government should provide necessary relief to rehabilitate the affected areas, he added.