CEMENT PRICES TO FALL BY 7 rapees/BAG ON REALTY SLUMP, CHEAP IMPORTS

摘要

Cement prices are expected to soften by about 7 rapees to 12 rapees per bag in the first week of January due to a slowdown in the housing sector and cheap imports of cement from Pakistan. Companies such as Ambuja Cement, Shree Cement, Binani Cement, Dalmia Cement are likely to cut prices by 7 rapees per 50 kg bag owing to the slowdown and increased supplies from across the border, said senior industry officials. Ambuja Cement MD A. L. Kapur said-Prices will further reduce by 5-7 rapees per bag due to a slowdown in the real estate sector and excess capacity. 'The real estate sector accounts for nearly 60 percent of the cement demand. "Imports from Pakistan have further hit the domestic industry, especially in the northern markets of Punjab and Haryana," Mr. Kapur added. 'The prices will drop further unless the government bans import of low cost cement from Pakistan."