Govt urged to lift duty on steel import

KARACHI: Construction industry on Thursday urged the government to withdraw anti-dumping and other regulatory duties on import of steel, cement and ceramics. 

Mohsin Sheikhani, chairman of ABAD, said the government slapped anti-dumping duty on steel import on the pretext of saving local industry.  Sheikhani, in a statement, said imported steel bar price is Rs55,000/tonne. But, the local industry is selling the bar at Rs85,000/tonne despite the same cost of production.  

He said cement makers are minting money as they are selling a 50-kilogramme cement bag for Rs550, while the rate of a 50kg bag in the international market is less than Rs300. Local cement makers are exporting cement nearly Rs 300/bag.