UNB, Dhaka :
The government is putting in its best efforts to explore newer markets for Bangladesh’s quality cement to expand its existing export market and help the industry grow further, said a senior official at the Commerce Ministry.
“Cement is a capital intensive industry…the government is trying its best to boost its exports,” said the official.
Industry insiders estimate that domestic consumption of cement has declined by 30 percent in recent times as the local market is ‘not stable’ yet following a bit uncertainness in the country’s political landscape.
Commerce Ministry data show that Bangladesh exported cement worth US$ 5.49 million in fiscal 2013-2014.
Bangladesh usually exports cement to nine countries-India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Germany, Switzerland and Singapore, according to the Commerce Ministry data.
However, Managing Director of listed (stock market) Premier Cement Mills Ltd. Mohammad Amirul Haque said Bangladesh mainly exports cement to India and Myanmar.
“The country exports only 20,000 MT cement monthly to India which stands 24,0000 MT annually,” he told UNB.
Amirul Haque also said Myanmar buys 3-4 thousand MT of cement from Bangladesh yearly and he does not aware of export volume to other countries as listed by the Commerce Ministry.
Responding to a question, he said the government officials must have adequate negotiation skills to expand the export market.
Till 1990, about 95 percent of the country’s demand for cement had been met through import. The country has been experiencing an upsurge in cement consumption for last seven-eight years, said the industry insiders.
Currently, the cement production capacity of the country is over 22 million tonnes per year, while the annual demand is around 16 million tonnes.
Commerce Ministry sources said the government is planning to arrange a seven-day fair in any of the Indian Northeast states in which cement will be given priority apart from other Bangladeshi products.
The government is putting in its best efforts to explore newer markets for Bangladesh’s quality cement to expand its existing export market and help the industry grow further, said a senior official at the Commerce Ministry.
“Cement is a capital intensive industry…the government is trying its best to boost its exports,” said the official.
Industry insiders estimate that domestic consumption of cement has declined by 30 percent in recent times as the local market is ‘not stable’ yet following a bit uncertainness in the country’s political landscape.
Commerce Ministry data show that Bangladesh exported cement worth US$ 5.49 million in fiscal 2013-2014.
Bangladesh usually exports cement to nine countries-India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Germany, Switzerland and Singapore, according to the Commerce Ministry data.
However, Managing Director of listed (stock market) Premier Cement Mills Ltd. Mohammad Amirul Haque said Bangladesh mainly exports cement to India and Myanmar.
“The country exports only 20,000 MT cement monthly to India which stands 24,0000 MT annually,” he told UNB.
Amirul Haque also said Myanmar buys 3-4 thousand MT of cement from Bangladesh yearly and he does not aware of export volume to other countries as listed by the Commerce Ministry.
Responding to a question, he said the government officials must have adequate negotiation skills to expand the export market.
Till 1990, about 95 percent of the country’s demand for cement had been met through import. The country has been experiencing an upsurge in cement consumption for last seven-eight years, said the industry insiders.
Currently, the cement production capacity of the country is over 22 million tonnes per year, while the annual demand is around 16 million tonnes.
Commerce Ministry sources said the government is planning to arrange a seven-day fair in any of the Indian Northeast states in which cement will be given priority apart from other Bangladeshi products.
