Pakistan Cement Industry

History & Introduction

The growth of the cement industry is rightly considered a barometer for economic activity. In 1947, Pakistan had inherited 4 cement plants with a total capacity of 0. 5 million tons. Some expansion took place in 1956-66 but could not keep pace with the economic development and the country had to resort to imports of cement in 1976-77 and continued to do so till 1994-95. The industry was privatized in 1990 which led to the setting up of new plants.

Although an oligopoly market, there exists fierce competition between members of the cartel today. The industry comprises of 29 firms (19 units in the north and 10 units in the south), with the installed production capacity of 44. 09 million tons. The north with an installed production capacity of 35. 18 million tons (80 percent) while the south with an installed production capacity of 8. 89 million tons (20 percent) competes for the domestic market of over 19 million tons. There are four foreign companies, three armed forces companies, and 16 private companies listed in the stock exchanges.

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The industry is divided into two broad regions, the northern region, and the southern region. The northern region has around 80 percent share in total cement dispatches while the units based in the southern region contribute 20 percent to the annual cement sales. The cement industry is indeed a highly important segment of the industrial sector that plays a pivotal role in socio-economic development. Since the cement is a specialized product, requiring sophisticated infrastructure and production location. Most of the cement industries in Pakistan are located near/within mountainous regions that are rich in clay, iron, and mineral capacity.

Cement industries in Pakistan are currently operating at their maximum capacity due to the boom in commercial and industrial construction within Pakistan. The cement sector is contributing above Rs 30 billion to the national exchequer in the form of taxes. The cement industry is also serving the nation by providing job opportunities and presently more than 150,000 persons are employed directly or indirectly by the industry. The industry had exported 7. 716 million tons of cement during the year 2007-08 and had earned $450 million, while is expected to export 11. 0 million tons of cement during 2008-09 and earn approximately $700 million.

Fiscal Performance 2008-09

Business Recorder reported that Pakistan’s cement exports witnessed a healthy growth of 65%, to over 6 million tons during 7 months of the current fiscal year mainly due to a rise in international demand. The exports may reach 11 million tonnes and earn approx $ 700 million during 2008-09. The statistics of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association also showed that cement exports had amounted to over 6 million tons in 7 months as compared to 3. 2 million tons of same period of last fiscal year, depicting an increase of 2. 38 million tons. Cement exports during January 2009 went up by 30% to 0. 81 million tons as compared to 0. 623 million tons in January 2008. However, slow construction activities in the country during the period badly upset domestic sales of cement, which depicted a decline of 15%, to 10. 77 million tons as compared to 12. 59 million tons of last fiscal year. On the MoM basis, local dispatches of cement during January 2009 showed a decline of 8%, to 1. 51 million tons from 1. 65 million tons of January 2008.

Overall dispatches, including export and local sales, reached 16. 77 million tons from July to January of 2008-09 as against 16. 20 million tons of last fiscal year, depicting an increase of 3%. By September 2009, after witnessing substantial growth in all three quarters of the fiscal year (FY) 2008-09, the cement sector concluded the fourth quarter with a handsome growth of 1,492 percent on yearly basis, All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association’s report revealed on 29th September 2009. Higher retention prices (up 59 percent) and high rupee based export sales amid rupee depreciation (20 percent) drove profits up north.

However, this growth is magnified, as FY2007-08 was an abnormally low-profit period for the sector. Moreover, the performance is skewed towards large players with export potential as profitable companies in both years posted an increase of just 109 percent, said an analyst at JS Research Atif Zafar. He said that the cumulative profitability of companies in FY09 stood at Rs 6. 2 billion or $78. 2 million as compared to Rs 386 million or $6. 2 million depicting a massive growth of 1,492 percent. Companies with profits in both the years posted 109 percent earnings improvement.

Though total dispatches were down 2 percent, net sales grew by 55 percent to Rs 101. 4 billion or $1. 3 billion on the back of higher net retention prices (up 59 percent) and improved export-based revenues. The cost of sales/tonne also rose by 33 percent on yearly basis amid higher realized coal prices and inflationary pressures, the analyst maintained.

Production Capacity

In Pakistan, there are 29 cement manufacturers that are playing a vital role in building up the country’s economy and contribution towards growth and prosperity.

After 2002-3, most of the cement manufacturers expanded their operations and increased production. This sector has invested about $1. 5 billion in capacity expansion over the last six years. The operating capacity of cement in 1991 was 7 million tons, which increased to become 18 million tons by 2005-06 and by end of 2007 rose to above 37 million tones, and currently, the production capacity is 44. 07 million tonnes. The cement production capacity in the north is 35. 18 million tons (80 percent) while in the south it is only 8. 89 million tons (20 percent).

The cement manufacturers in 2007-08 added above eight million tons to the capacity and the total production were expected to exceed 45 million tons by the end of 2010. It may result in a supply glut of seven million tons in 2009 and 2010.

Actual Cement Production

According to the Government Board of Investment (in million tons):

• 2001-02 – 9. 83
• 2002-03 – 10. 85
• 2003-04 – 12. 86
• 2004-05 – 16. 09
• 2005-06 – 18. 48
• 2006-07 – 22. 73
• 2007-08 – 26. 75
• 2008-09 – 20. 28

Exports & International Markets

The cement industry of Pakistan entered the export markets a few years back and has established its reputation as a good quality product.

Deregulation after the accession of Pakistan to WTO is expected to open the window of competition from cheaper markets. The recent acquisition of Chakwal Cement by an Egyptian giant, Orascom may be a beginning of such an entry in Pakistan by multinationals. New avenues for the export of cement are opening up for the indigenous industry as Sri Lanka has recently shown interest to import 30,000 tons of cement from Pakistan every month. If the industry is able to avail of the opportunity offered, it may secure a significant share of the Sri Lanka market by supplying 360,000 tons of cement annually.

In 2007, 130,000 tons of cement was exported to India. In 2007, the exports to Afghanistan, UAE, and Iraq touched 2. 13 million tons. At present, the economies of major countries are facing a recession, but Pakistan’s cement sector is still maintaining healthy growth. Cement export to India has already slowed after the imposition of duty by Indian authorities.

Pricing

Another problem faced earlier by the Industry was high taxation. The general sales tax (GST) was 186% higher than India. The impact of this tax and duty structure resulted in an almost 40% increase in the cost of a cement bag (50 Kg).

A bag in India earlier cost Rs. 160 as compared to Rs. 220 in Pakistan. In the budget of 2003-04, a duty cut of 25% was permitted to the cement sector with assurance from the cartel to pass on this benefit to the consumers. In 2006, the price of a bag went up to Rs. 430 however in 2007 it has stabilized at Rs. 315 per bag. In mid-2008, cement prices stabilized further at Rs. 220 per bag. The Government has reduced central excise duty (CED) on cement in the budget for 2007-08 in order to boost construction activity:

• The average industry cost of cement bag/50Kg = Rs. 193
• The average industry price of cement bag/50Kg = Rs. 235

Domestic Demand

Local demand in the country for the year 2008-09 is expected to be around 20 million tons.

• Domestic demand is expected to grow at a 13%
• Capacity growth rate (CAGR) during the next five years.

Certain factors will also affect the growth of the cement industry as well. These are as follows:

• Strong GDP Growth:
  • Higher GDP growth has a positive impact on cement demand.
  • The cement demand growth rate was double the GDP growth rate in the last three years.
• Housing Sector Growth:
  • Housing projects consume roughly 40% of cement demand.
  • Low-interest rates, post 9/11 remittances’ inflow, and real estate boom have helped housing sector growth.
• Government Development Expenditures:
  • Government development expenditures count for one-third of total cement consumption.
  • Increase in PSDP – from Rs. 80 bn in 1999 to Rs. 520 bn in 2007.
  • Infrastructure development in a region triggers private development projects having an even positive impact on cement demand.
• Earthquake Rehabilitation:
  • Earthquake losses of October 8th are estimated at $ 5. 2bn.
  • Reconstruction work will boost construction material demand.
  • Reconstruction work is expected to generate a cement demand of 4mn tons over the next 3-4 years.
• Announcement of Large Dams:
  • Construction of four large dams will generate a demand of 3. 7mn tons. Bhasha Daimer Dam, Munda Dam, Akhori Dam, and Neelum Jhelum.

Per Capita Cement Consumption

Pakistan currently has a per capita consumption of 131kg of cement, which is comparable to that for India at 135kg per capita but substantially below the World Average 270kg and the regional average of over 400kg for peers in Asia and over 600kg in the Middle East.

Cement demand remained stagnated during the 90’s owing to a lack of development activities. In 1997, per capita consumption was 73 kg in both Pakistan and India. By 2005-06, consumption in India rose to become 115 kg/capita whereas ours rose to 117 kg/capita.

A comparison of a few countries in 2005:

• Bangladesh 50 kg/capita
• Pakistan 117 kg/capita
• India 115 kg/capita
• USA 375 kg/capita
• Iran 470 kg/capita
• Malaysia 530 kg/capita
• EU 560 kg/capita
• China 625 kg/capita
• UAE 1095 kg/capita

Challenges to Cement Industry

The cost and exports may be affected due to the weakness of the US dollar causing coal, electricity charges, and freight prices, comprising 65 to 70 percent of the cost. The PSDP allocation for 2009 has been cut by Rs 75 billion and feared further cuts would curtail cement demand. Major capacities of countries like India and Iran are expected to come online by FY10 and onwards which are likely to convert these countries from dependent importers to potential exporters.

Moreover, this current rising trend is expected to be short-lived due to higher interest rates and inflationary concerns are likely to make it disadvantageous for investors to enter the construction industry. In addition to this, to control real estate prices the government is considering imposing a tax on it. Major General Rehmat Khan, Chairman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), told Business Recorder, “cement industry is getting Rs 24 per ton as day duty drawback for export of cement which needs to be revised.

In view of today’s calculation for duty drawback, which works out to Rs 130 per ton, he proposed that duty drawback be increased to Rs 130 per ton, instead of Rs 24 per ton. ” Referring to taxation on cement, he said that cement dispatches are subject to payment of federal excise duty @ Rs 900 per ton, general sales tax @ 16 percent, special excise duty @ 1 percent, marking fee @ 0. 1 percent of ex-factory price, besides provincial duties and taxes. These taxes come to around Rs 96 per bag which is the highest in the world. Cement, it appears, is being treated as a luxury item for the purpose of taxes and duties.

He proposed that the government should reduce excise duty by Rs 450 per ton in the forthcoming budget while the remaining half should be eliminated altogether along with the special excise duty. Besides this, sales tax should not be charged on excise duty paid value. He also proposed withdrawal of customs duty on Pet Coke and remove it from the negative list for import from India because the cement industry imports Coal and Pet Coke as fuel for production and customs duty on imported coal is zero while on Pet Coke it is charged @ 5 percent.

References:

1. "Cement Industry potential to meet Economic challenges" https://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=1439&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=
2. "Pakistan Cement export up by 65%" - http://steelguru.com/news/index/2009/02/08/ODE2NjU%3D/Pakistan_cement_exports_in_7_months_up_by_65%2525.html
3. "Cement Profits up 16 times in FY09" http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=20099\story_30-9-2009_pg5_14
4. http://economicpakistan. wordpress. com/2008/02/12/cement-industry/

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