Boom in the construction and housing sector in the country has helped cement sales grew by 3.5 percent in the fiscal year ended June 30 and the upward trend in the sales would be maintained in the current fiscal year.

The fiscal year 2015 recorded total sales at 35.4 million tonnes and this was due to increase in the private sector expenditure on construction and housing.

Besides, higher government infrastructure spending and improved security situation also helped increase cement sales during the year.

Local sales posted stellar growth of eight percent on yearly basis in the year to reach 28.3 million tonnes, which were better than the average growth rate of five percent seen in the last five years.

On month-on-month basis, total sales grew by nine percent to 3.3 million tonnes in June 2015.

Export dispatches were down 12 percent on yearly basis to clock in at 7.2 million tonnes.

And going forward, the demand from Afghanistan is likely to improve due to ease in political situation.

Additionally, higher disposable income, due to lower inflation （4.6 percent in FY15）， will also boost the private sector expenditure on construction and housing, as evident from mega housing schemes launched by Bahria, Fazaia, DHA and the UAE s Emaar.

Based on the above reasons, the forecast is that Pakistan cement sales to rise by 9% in FY16 to reach 38.6 million tonnes, while the export sales to remain flat at 7.2 million tonnes.