Traders eying six million tons cement export to

New Delhi: After acquiring provisional certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards to sell their product in cement-hungry India by seven Pakistani companies, Pakistani traders are eying export of six million tones of cement per annum. 'Times of India' reported India would replace Afghanistan as the largest export market for Pakistani cement by the end of 2007.

Cheaper than Indian cement, Pakistani cement which sells in India in the price band of Rs 235-250 per bag, will make it much more attractive with the Indian construction and real estate boom.

During the last Pak-India trade talks in New Delhi, some decisions were made to remove barriers by India for Pakistani exports. Pakistan is surplus in cement and India can become heaven for the Pakistani cement exporters as cost of transportation will be low as compared to other countries.