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Cement-makers to discuss problems with Shaukat today

ISLAMABAD: Cement manufacturers will call on Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Saturday to discuss the problems, facing the cement industry.

A 10-member delegation of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) led by its Chairman Aizaz Sheikh met the Finance Minister to discuss the resolution of problems being faced by the industry, informed soruces said.

Other problems confronted by the industry included cement plants, import, its role in stock market, levy of CED, cement export related issues etc.

Main issues discussed at the meeting were withdrawal of exemptions of duties and taxes on the import of cement plants, Rs. 1,500 per tonnes central excise duty role of the cement industry in the country's stock market, below capacity production of cement in cement factories, millions of rupees stuck up with the Central Board of Revenue in the head of rebate regarding export of cement etc.

The cement manufacturers and exporters last year exported thousands of tonnes of cement to Bangladesh, but their millions of rupees are stuck up in the head of rebate.

Orders worth millions of dollars for the export of cement to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are at the hand but the stuck up rebate has jeopardised direly needed foreign exchange earning, the sources added. APP