PAK CEMENT IN DEMAND IN SOUTHERN STATES

Chennai, June 23 (PTI) Taking advantage of the semblance
of stability in India-Pak relations, "low price, quality"
Pakistan cement is making forays into the South Indian markets
with growing demand for regular supplies from across the
border.

Various cement brands like Lucky, Elephant and Maple Leaf
from the neighbouring nation began making their presence felt
in the southern markets to some extent, industry sources said.

An imported bag of 50 kg. of cement costs Rs. 250 while
the local cement was being sold at Rs. 260 a bag, an official
of the Kerala Cement Dealers' Association said.

A few months back, about 1,000 tonnes of imported cement
was offloaded at Ernakulam at a price of Rs. 220 per bag when
the domestic cement was costing around Rs. 250.

"Around 1,000 containers of cement were shipped to Chennai
two months back and around 1,500 containers landed in
Tuticorin," Ramaprasad, a Chennai-based importer said.

Each container had a capacity of 500 bags of cement
weighing 50 kg each, he said, adding that Lucky and Elephant
brands accounted for most of the imported cement.

Though the importers say that the quality of cement from
Pakistan was good, the supply had been limited. "We are not
sure of the regular supply as the international prices have
gone up", Ramaprasad said.