KARACHI, May 8: Cement exports recorded a robust growth of 141.9 per cent, to 5.93 million tons, during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, cement manufacturers said here on Thursday.

Pakistan had shipped 2.45 million tons of cement during the same period last year.

According to the All-Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association, cement dispatches during July-2007 to April 2008 surged due to real estate boom in the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which created cement shortage in the regional market.

The cement manufacturers had also tapped other potential markets of Middle East and African countries. The cement production also increased by 24.6 per cent to 24.56 million tons during the period under review.

Total cement dispatches were estimated at over 19.71 million tons in the corresponding period last year mainly due to rising demand of cement in the domestic and foreign markets.

The construction boom in Pakistan, as well as in region, has been playing an important part in cement dispatches growth.

Capacity utilisation also improved to 84.0 per cent in 10 months, from 81.2 per cent in the parallel period last year.

During the said period, local dispatches stood at 18.62 million tons as compared to 17.26 million tons.—APP