KARACHI: Cement industry posted a growth of 9 per cent in local sales during the first four months (July-Oct) of this fiscal year as compared to the same period last fiscal year.

Exports during the period under review fell by 4.43pc, a spokesman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) said in a statement on Saturday.

The north based cement makers despatched 6.872 million tonnes to the domestic markets which was 10.4pc higher, whereas exports from the region fell by 12.3pc to 1.742m tonnes compared to thesame period last year.

In southern region, the domestic dispatches inched up by only 1.4pc to 1.325m tonnes from 1.307m tonnes during July-Oct 2013. While, exports from the region also increased by 12.5pc to 1.408m tonnes from 0.932m tonnes of the correspondingperiodlastyear.

APCMA spokesman deplored that the issues impeding the actual growth potential of the cement sector have not yet been addressed by the government, adding: `Still the overall growth in the sector is commendable in view of overall turmoil in the economy.`-Staff Reporter