India faces 12 MT cement shortage: IMC

Mumbai, June 16: The country faces a shortage of 12 million tonnes of cement owing to the construction boom, which could be met through imports from Pakistan, according to the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC).

With Pakistan's cement surplus touching six million tonnes, India should explore possibilities for importing from Pakistan, the IMC has said.

''Despite initial hiccups, trade relationship between the two countries has progressed well, which is a good sign,'' IMC president Neeraj Bajaj has said.

''The trade relationships are not affected by cross-border issues including Kashmir,'' he said.

Cross-border trades in pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs, which have been restricted through small shipments, grew from USD 200 million to USD 1 billion in the last five years, he said.

UNI