Trade: Tanzania to import Pakistani cement

DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania has decided to import cement from Pakistan as it faces acute shortage following mechanical breakdown at one of Portland Cement Company plants, Guardian newspaper reported on Saturday. 

Masoud Hamisi of Tandika hardware said due to shortage he decided to import cement from Pakistan. “There is no local cement. We have turned to imported supplies.” Cement producers say production cost is too high in Tanzania (probably four times) compared to that of Pakistan.

While it costs $86 to transport one ton cement from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma, the same quantity could be transported from Karachi in Pakistan to Dar es Salaam for just $25, the report, quoting producers, said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2011.