Birlaa.com

THOUGH the Centre has opened doors for overseas cement companies, India= n manufacturers seem unfazed. And as a proof of their confidence, the compan= ies are contemplating a further hike of about Rs 3-5 per bag according to th= e latest buzz in the industry.
   An industry exper= t, closely watching the economy of the cement industry, told ET: “If at all = the government is planning to control the prices, it should have already imp= orted huge quantities of cement by now.”
   The cem= ent companies on the other hand have adopted a two-way strategy. “In case th= ey will have to slash the prices in future, they would be reducing after increasing the prices. And in case the imports do not succeed, the= y can say that there has been a good demand post-monsoon,” he added. The pri= ce hike may come into effect this weekend or early next week, said an offici= al working with a leading cement manufacturing company in Kutch. “The Indian= demand for cement is 170 MT and this has to be met from within. The kind of= imports planned cannot fill up the rapidly growing market,” said a senior o= fficial working with a Mumbai-based cement firm.