Cement dispatches up 10% in April-December
Financial Express

Despite higher ad valorem duties at the beginning of this fiscal coupled with import threats, the cement industry continued to maintain its steady growth of 10% in despatches for the nine-month period between April-December 2007. Led by southern and northern states, the cement despatches during the period went up to 121 million tonne as against 112 mt during the same period last fiscal. This is despite there has been a sizeable addition of nearly 7 mt during the said period.

Led by Gujarat with a growth of 18%, the western region has reported a growth of 16% in despatches during the nine-month period. Interestingly, the western region had, during the same period last fiscal, reported a growth of only 11%. Maharashtra followed Gujarat with a growth of 15%. The next region to report remarkably higher growth has been the southern region with a growth of little over 11.5%, followed by northern region (11%) and central region (5%). The eastern region has reported only 2% growth during the period.

Among the states, Haryana has reported the highest growth in consumption at 21%, followed by Andhra Pradesh (19%) and Gujarat (18%). The other important states which reported a strong growth include Tamil Nadu (16%), Maharashtra & Madhya Pradesh (15%).