Pakistan is partly blaming its significant drop in cement imports in September this year (compared to September 2014) on an import duty imposed by South Africa.
According to a report by online news site, Global Cement, Pakistan’s imports fell by by 36% year-on-year.
"Around 45-50% of total cement exports were destined for South Africa before the duty was imposed," Sheikh Adeel, senior manager of sales and marketing at Maple Leaf Cement, was quoted as saying.
In May this year, South Africa imposed provisional duties on Pakistani cement ranging from as high as 77.1% to as low as 14.2% - depending on the brand of cement.
Foster Mohale, manager: communication services at the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac), told FTWO earlier this year that the provisional duties had been imposed as the local industry was “suffering material injury through a decline in sales volume and output as well as profits and cash flow”.
He added: “Pakistan’s exports to its traditional markets were declining and imports from Pakistan into the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) region increased by over 600% between 2010 and 2013.”
